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Special SERIES ONLY EVIDENCES on SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): Decontamination (Part 9)

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Dr KK Aggarwal    09 April 2020

(Source: DHS Science and Technology, Master Question List for COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2), Weekly Report, 18 March 2020)

What are effective methods to kill the agent in the environment?

What is known?

SARS-CoV-2

  • Twice-daily cleaning with sodium dichloroisocyanurate of decontaminated surfaces in COVID-19 patient hospital rooms.1
  • Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective at inactivating SARS-CoV-2 in liquid. 2
  • EPA has released a list of SARS-CoV-2 disinfectants, but; however, the solutions were not tested on live virus.3

Other Coronaviruses

  • Chlorine-based4and ethanol-based5 solutions are recommended.
  • Heat treatment at 56oC is sufficient tocan kill coronaviruses,6,7 though effectiveness depends in partpartly on the amount of protein in contaminated media. 6
  • 70% ethanol, 50% isopropanol, sodium hypochlorite [bleach, 200 ppm], and UV radiation are effective at inactivatingcan effectively inactivate several coronaviruses (MHV and CCV).8
  • Ethanol-based biocides are effective disinfectants against coronaviruses dried on surfaces, including ethanol containing gels that are similar to hand sanitizer.9,10
  • Surface spray disinfectants such as Mikrobac, Dismozon, and Korsolex are effective at reducingeffectively reduce infectivity of the closely related SARS-CoV after 30 minutes of contact.11
  • Coronaviruses may be resistant to thermal inactivation for up to 7 days when stabilized in stool.12,13
  • Additionally, cCoronaviruses are more stable in matrixes such as respiratory sputum. 14
  • Hydrogen peroxide vapor is expected to be effective at repeated decontamination of N95 respirators based on other pathogens.15

What do we need to know?

  • What is the mMinimal contact time for disinfectants?
  • Does contamination with human fluids/waste alter disinfectant efficacy profiles?
  • How effective isEffectiveness of air filtration at reducing transmission in healthcare, airplanes and public spaces?

References

  1. Ong, S. W. X.; Tan, Y. K.; Chia, P. Y.; Lee, T. H.; Ng, O. T.; Wong, M. S. Y.; Marimuthu, K., Air, Surface Environmental, and Personal Protective Equipment Contamination by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) From a Symptomatic Patient. Jama 2020.
  2. Kratzel, A.; Todt, D.; Vkovski, P.; Steiner, S.; Gultom, M. L.; Thao, T. T. N.; Ebert, N.; Holwerda, M.; Steinmann, J.; Niemeyer, D.; Dijkman, R.; Kampf, G.; Drosten, C.; Steinmann, E.; Thiel, V.; Pfaender, S., Efficient inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by WHO-recommended hand rub formulations and alcohols. bioRxiv 2020, 2020.03.10.986711. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.10.986711v1.
  3. Agency, U. S. E. P., EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products for Use Against Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the Cause of COVID-19. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2.
  4. WHO, Laboratory testing for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in suspected human cases.
  5. Control), E. E. C. f. D. P. a., Interim guidance for environmental cleaning in non-healthcare facilities exposed to SARS-CoV-2; European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2020.
  6. Rabenau, H. F.; Cinatl, J.; Morgenstern, B.; Bauer, G.; Preiser, W.; Doerr, H. W., Stability and inactivation of SARS coronavirus. Med Microbiol Immunol 2005, 194 (1-2), 1-6.
  7. Zhongchu, L., The sixth press conference of "Prevention and Control of New Coronavirus Infected Pneumonia". Hubei Provincial Government: 2020.
  8. 112. (U) Saknimit, M.; Inatsuki, I.; Sugiyama, Y.; Yagami, K., Virucidal efficacy of physico-chemical treatments against coronaviruses and parvoviruses of laboratory animals. Jikken Dobutsu 1988, 37 (3), 341-5.
  9. Hulkower, R. L.; Casanova, L. M.; Rutala, W. A.; Weber, D. J.; Sobsey, M. D., Inactivation of surrogate coronaviruses on hard surfaces by health care germicides. American journal of infection control 2011, 39 (5), 401-407.
  10. Wolff, M. H.; Sattar, S. A.; Adegbunrin, O.; Tetro, J., Environmental survival and microbicide inactivation of coronaviruses. In Coronaviruses with special emphasis on first insights concerning SARS, Springer: 2005; pp 201-212.
  11. Rabenau, H.; Kampf, G.; Cinatl, J.; Doerr, H., Efficacy of various disinfectants against SARS coronavirus. Journal of Hospital Infection 2005, 61 (2), 107-111.
  12. Thomas, P. R.; Karriker, L. A.; Ramirez, A.; Zhang, J.; Ellingson, J. S.; Crawford, K. K.; Bates, J. L.; Hammen, K. J.; Holtkamp, D. J., Evaluation of time and temperature sufficient to inactivate porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in swine feces on metal surfaces. Journal of Swine Health and Production 2015, 23 (2),84.
  13. Thomas, P. R.; Ramirez, A.; Zhang, J.; Ellingson, J. S.; Myers, J. N., Methods for inactivating PEDV in Hog Trailers. Animal Industry Report 2015, 661 (1), 91.
  14. Duan, S.; Zhao, X.; Wen, R.; Huang, J.-j.; Pi, G.; Zhang, S.; Han, J.; Bi, S.; Ruan, L.; Dong, X.-p., Stability of SARS coronavirus in human specimens and environment and its sensitivity to heating and UV irradiation. Biomedical and environmental sciences: BES 2003, 16 (3), 246-255.
  15. Richter, W.; Hofacre, K.; Willenberg, Z., Final Report for the Bioquell Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor (HPV) Decontamination for Reuse of N95 Respirators; Battelle Memorial Institute: 2016.

 Dr K K Aggarwal,

President Confederation of Medical Associations of Asia and Oceania

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