Fife scientist joins team trying to find link between smell loss and coronavirus

Following a wave of reports from patients and clinicians about rapid onset smell loss, health organisations throughout the world have recognized anosmia as a marker for Covid-19, even in the absence of other symptoms.

Scientists worldwide have united as the Global Consortium of Chemosensory Researchers (GCCR) to investigate the connection between the chemical senses and Covid-19.

Sensory scientist Aidan Kirkwood is part of this group of more than 500 clinicians, neurobiologists, data scientists, cognitive scientists, sensory researchers and technicians from 38 countries.

Originally from Glenrothes, Aidan now lives in Reading working for Mondelez International as an analytical chemist, with a great interest in the sense of smell.

An alumnus of Napier University and the University of Birmingham, he was trained at the University of Reading’s Flavour Centre where he worked to develop a method to understand the Molecular Basis for Parosmia (an olfactory condition that causes a distortion of odours).

Aidan is also a Student Member of the British Society of Perfumers and likes to participate in conversations about fragrances and olfaction, as well as volunteering with the smell-loss charity, AbScent, on the weekends.

He urges anyone who has recently experienced smell loss to complete a survey which will allow the GCCR to collect data from around the world in a bid to unravel how Covid-19 is transmitted and how to prevent its spread.

Aidan said: “Just as the coronavirus pandemic spread across the world, it was apparent by many clinicians and scientists that smell and taste loss was occurring concurrently.

“It is common for most viruses to cause anosmia and ageusia, but for such a novel virus, it is of interest in scientists to find whether sensory loss is related to coronavirus disease, particularly when many show no other symptoms.

“It is a worry that many countries, such as France, consider anosmia to be a strong enough indicator to encourage immediate self-isolation, but the NHS does not consider such a symptom, when many show no other symptoms.”

The survey, which will take around ten minutes to compete, is being translated into more than 20 languages and is available to individuals and clinicians by visiting http://gcchemosensr.org.

ENT UK advises anyone who has suddenly experienced smell loss to self-isolate and reach out to their doctor.