SARS-CoV-2 can survive on human skin for up to nine hours, Japanese scientists have reported in a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. Other research has found that the coronavirus can live for up to 24 hours on cardboard, 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, and 28 days on glass in laboratory conditions.
The study from researchers at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine stresses the importance of proper hand hygiene in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, and along with other studies adds to a growing body of research about coronavirus transmission routes.
Survival of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus on the human skin: Importance of hand hygiene in COVID-19
Clinical Infectious Diseases. Published on 3 October 2020
Authors
Ryohei Hirose, Hiroshi Ikegaya, Yuji Naito, Naoto Watanabe, Takuma Yoshida, Risa Bandou, Tomo Daidoji, Yoshito Itoh and Takaaki Nakaya
Author affiliation: Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
Abstract
The stability of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on human skin remains unknown, considering the hazards of viral exposure to humans. We generated a model that allows the safe reproduction of clinical studies on the application of pathogens to human skin and elucidated the stability of SARS-CoV-2 on the human skin.
Methods
We evaluated the stability of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus (IAV), mixed with culture medium or upper respiratory mucus, on human skin surfaces and the dermal disinfection effectiveness of 80% (w/w) ethanol against SARS-CoV-2 and IAV.
Results
SARS-CoV-2 and IAV were inactivated more rapidly on skin surfaces than on other surfaces (stainless steel/glass/plastic); the survival time was significantly longer for SARS-CoV-2 than for IAV [9.04 h (95% confidence interval: 7.96–10.2 h) vs. 1.82 h (1.65–2.00 h)].
IAV on other surfaces was inactivated faster in mucus versus medium conditions, while SARS-CoV-2 showed similar stability in the mucus and medium; the survival time was significantly longer for SARS-CoV-2 than for IAV [11.09 h (10.22–12.00 h) vs. 1.69 h (1.57–1.81 h)].
Moreover, both SARS-CoV-2 and IAV in the mucus/medium on human skin were completely inactivated within 15 s by ethanol treatment.
Conclusions
The 9-h survival of SARS-CoV-2 on human skin may increase the risk of contact transmission in comparison with IAV, thus accelerating the pandemic. Proper hand hygiene is important to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
The effect of temperature on persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on common surfaces
Virology Journal. Published on 7 October 2020.
Authors
Shane Riddell, Sarah Goldie, Andrew Hill, Debbie Eagles and Trevor W. Drew
Author affiliation: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness
Abstract
The rate at which COVID-19 has spread throughout the globe has been alarming. While the role of fomite transmission is not yet fully understood, precise data on the environmental stability of SARS-CoV-2 is required to determine the risks of fomite transmission from contaminated surfaces.
Methods
This study measured the survival rates of infectious SARS-CoV-2, suspended in a standard ASTM E2197 matrix, on several common surface types. All experiments were carried out in the dark, to negate any effects of UV light. Inoculated surfaces were incubated at 20 °C, 30 °C and 40 °C and sampled at various time points.
Results
Survival rates of SARS-CoV-2 were determined at different temperatures and D-values, Z-values and half-life were calculated. We obtained half lives of between 1.7 and 2.7 days at 20 °C, reducing to a few hours when temperature was elevated to 40 °C.
With initial viral loads broadly equivalent to the highest titres excreted by infectious patients, viable virus was isolated for up to 28 days at 20 °C from common surfaces such as glass, stainless steel and both paper and polymer banknotes. Conversely, infectious virus survived less than 24 h at 40 °C on some surfaces.
Conclusion
These findings demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious for significantly longer time periods than generally considered possible. These results could be used to inform improved risk mitigation procedures to prevent the fomite spread of COVID-19.
Study suggests new coronavirus may remain on surfaces for days
Researchers led by Dr Vincent Munster of National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) studied how long the virus survives in the air and on surfaces.
They mimicked how viruses are spread by an infected person onto everyday surfaces in a household or hospital setting, through coughing or touching objects. The team then investigated how long the virus remained infectious on these surfaces.
They compared the results to that of the closely related SARS-CoV-1, which was responsible for the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2004. The findings were published on 17 March in the New England Journal of Medicine, the NIH reports.
The scientists tested the viruses on plastic, stainless steel, copper and cardboard. They also used a rotating drum to suspend the virus in aerosols, a mist of tiny droplets. This technique was used to determine if the virus could linger in the air.
SARS-CoV-2 remained active on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for two to three days under the conditions in this experiment. It remained infectious for up to 24 hours on cardboard and four hours on copper. The virus was detectable in aerosols for up to three hours.
These times will vary under real-world conditions, depending on factors including temperature, humidity, ventilation, and the amount of virus deposited.
The results suggest that people may acquire SARS-CoV-2 through the air and after touching contaminated objects. However, although the viruses were able to infect cells in the laboratory, how much virus is likely to cause infections in people remains to be studied.
“These findings show that SARS-CoV-2 is actually quite similar to SARS-CoV-1 in terms of stability in the environment,” says co-author Dr James Lloyd-Smith at the University of California, Los Angeles.
“This means we can learn from our experiences with SARS in 2002-2004 to gain insights into infection control, especially in healthcare settings. On the other hand, it indicates that the major differences in the epidemiology of these viruses probably arise from other factors – especially the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to be transmitted by people not exhibiting clear symptoms.”
“These results will inform future epidemiologic investigations that will be necessary to understand spread of this virus person to person,” adds co-author Dr Susan Gerber of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The findings underscore the importance of hand washing and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces. This can be done using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. And to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, avoid close contact with those who are sick and stay home if you are sick yourself.
Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1
New England Journal of Medicine. Published on 17 March 2020
Authors
Neeltje van Doremalen, Trenton Bushmaker, Dylan H Morris, Myndi G Holbrook, Amandine Gamble, Brandi N Williamson, Azaibi Tamin, Jennifer L Harcourt, Natalie J Thornburg, Susan I Gerber, James O Lloyd-Smith, Emmie de Wit and Vincent J Munster.
Affiliations
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Princeton University, University of California – Los Angeles and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Abstract
No abstract available.
[link url="https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaa1517/5917611"]Survival of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus on the human skin: Importance of hand hygiene in COVID-19 – Clinical Infectious Diseases[/link]
[link url="https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12985-020-01418-7"]The effect of temperature on persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on common surfaces – Virology Journal[/link]
[link url=" https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/study-suggests-new-coronavirus-may-remain-surfaces-days"]Study suggests new coronavirus may remain on surfaces for days[/link]
[link url="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32182409/"]Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1 – New England Journal of Medicine[/link]