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Weber DJ, Rutala WA, Sickbert-Bennett E. Emerging infectious diseases, focus on infection prevention, environmental survival and germicide susceptibility: SARS-CoV-2, Mpox, and Candida auris. Am J Infect Control 2023; 51:A22-A34. [PMID: 37890950 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2023.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND New and emerging infectious diseases continue to represent a public health threat. Emerging infectious disease threats include pathogens increasing in range (eg, Mpox), zoonotic microbes jumping species lines to cause sustained infections in humans via person-to-person transmission (SARS-CoV-2) and multidrug-resistant pathogens (eg, Candida auris). MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched the published English literature and reviewed the selected articles on SARS-CoV-2, Mpox, and Candida auris with a focus on environmental survival, contamination of the patient's hospital environment, susceptibility of the pathogen to antiseptics and disinfectants and infection prevention recommendations. RESULTS All three pathogens (ie, SARS-CoV-2, Mpox, and Candida auris) can survive on surfaces for minutes to hours and for Mpox and C auris for days. Currently available antiseptics (eg, 70%-90% alcohol hand hygiene products) are active against SARS-CoV-2, Mpox and C auris. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency provides separate lists of surface disinfectants active against SARS-CoV-2, Mpox, and C auris. DISCUSSION The risk of environment-to-patient transmission of SARS-CoV-2, Mpox and Candida auris, is very low, low-moderate and high, respectively. In the absence of appropriate patient isolation and use of personal protection equipment, the risk of patient-to-health care provider transmission of SARS-CoV-2, Mpox, and C auris is high, moderate and low, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Appropriate patient isolation, use of personal protective equipment by health care personnel, hand hygiene, and surface disinfection can protect patients and health care personnel from acquiring SARS-CoV-2, Mpox, and C auris from infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Weber
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Infection Prevention, UNC Medical Center, Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
| | - William A Rutala
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Emily Sickbert-Bennett
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Infection Prevention, UNC Medical Center, Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
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2
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Zambrana W, Boehm AB. Occurrence of Human Viruses on Fomites in the Environment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. ACS ENVIRONMENTAL AU 2023; 3:277-294. [PMID: 37743950 PMCID: PMC10515712 DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.3c00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Documenting the occurrence of viruses on fomites is crucial in determining the significance of fomite-mediated transmission and the potential use of fomites for environmental disease surveillance. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compile information on the occurrence of human viruses on fomites in the environment; we identified 134 peer-reviewed papers. We compiled sampling and measurement methods, results, quality control information, and whether virus data were compared with community health data from the papers. We conducted univariate and multivariate analyses to investigate if presence of virus on fomites was associated with virus type (enveloped, nonenveloped), sampling location (healthcare setting, nonhealthcare temporary setting, nonhealthcare nontemporary setting), and area of fomite swabbed (<50, 50-100, >100 cm2). Across 275 data sets from the 134 papers, there was the most data available for Coronaviridae and from fomites at hospitals. Positivity rates, defined as the percent positive fomite samples, were low (median = 6%). Data were available on viruses from 16 different viral families, but data on viruses from 9 families had few (n < 5) data sets. Many human virus families were not identified in this review (11 families). Less than 15% of the data sets reported virus concentrations in externally valid units (viruses per area of surface), and 16% provided a quantitative comparison between virus and health data. Virus type and area swabbed were significant predictors of virus presence on fomites, and the positivity rate of data sets collected from healthcare settings and nonhealthcare nontemporary settings (e.g., individual housing) were significantly higher than those collected in nonhealthcare temporary settings (e.g., restaurants). Data from this review indicates that viruses may be present on fomites, that fomite-mediated virus transmission may occur, and that fomites may provide information on circulation of infectious diseases in the community. However, more quantitative data on diverse viruses are needed, and method reporting needs significant improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winnie Zambrana
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Alexandria B. Boehm
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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Brown TW, Park GW, Wittry B, Barclay L, Person M, Relja B, Daly S, Chhabra P, Kincaid E, Johnson J, Ahmad A, Herzegh O, Vinjé J, Murphy J. SARS-CoV-2 surface contamination in metro-Atlanta grocery stores. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291747. [PMID: 37725625 PMCID: PMC10508621 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on many businesses worldwide, essential businesses, such as grocery stores, continued to operate despite potential disease transmission. Although the principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is through exposure to respiratory droplets and very small particles carrying infectious virus, contaminated surfaces might play a role in transmission. We collected swab samples from frequently touched surfaces, including grocery carts, touchscreen monitors, credit card keypads, pharmacy counters, self-service food utensils, and refrigerator and freezer handles, in two metro-Atlanta grocery stores over the course of two sampling events in March 2021. Of the 260 swab samples collected, 6 (2.3%) samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Positive samples were collected from pharmacy (12.0% [3/25] samples), refrigerator/freezer aisles (2.5% [1/39] samples), and self-service food court (5.0% [2/40] samples) areas. Table/counter edge and underside surfaces represented 33% (2/6) of positive samples. These data suggest that risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 from frequently touched surfaces in grocery store settings is likely low; however, more frequent cleaning of surfaces in pharmacy and self-service food courts might be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis W. Brown
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Geun W. Park
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunological and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Beth Wittry
- Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Leslie Barclay
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunological and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Margaret Person
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Boris Relja
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunological and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Scott Daly
- Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Preeti Chhabra
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunological and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Erin Kincaid
- Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jona Johnson
- Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ausaf Ahmad
- Division of Scientific Resources, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Owen Herzegh
- Division of Scientific Resources, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jan Vinjé
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunological and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Murphy
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Belmonte-Lopes R, Barquilha CER, Kozak C, Barcellos DS, Leite BZ, da Costa FJOG, Martins WL, Oliveira PE, Pereira EHRA, Filho CRM, de Souza EM, Possetti GRC, Vicente VA, Etchepare RG. 20-Month monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater of Curitiba, in Southern Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27926-x. [PMID: 37243767 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27926-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the collapse of healthcare systems and led to the development and application of several approaches of wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor infected populations. The main objective of this study was to carry out a SARS-CoV-2 wastewater based surveillance in Curitiba, Southern Brazil Sewage samples were collected weekly for 20 months at the entrance of five treatment plants representing the entire city and quantified by qPCR using the N1 marker. The viral loads were correlated with epidemiological data. The correlation by sampling points showed that the relationship between the viral loads and the number of reported cases was best described by a cross-correlation function, indicating a lag between 7 and 14 days amidst the variables, whereas the data for the entire city presented a higher correlation (0.84) with the number of positive tests at lag 0 (sampling day). The results also suggest that the Omicron VOC resulted in higher titers than the Delta VOC. Overall, our results showed that the approach used was robust as an early warning system, even with the use of different epidemiological indicators or changes in the virus variants in circulation. Therefore, it can contribute to public decision-makers and health interventions, especially in vulnerable and low-income regions with limited clinical testing capacity. Looking toward the future, this approach will contribute to a new look at environmental sanitation and should even induce an increase in sewage coverage rates in emerging countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Belmonte-Lopes
- Graduate Program On Pathology, Parasitology, and Microbiology, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
- Basic Pathology Department, Biological Sciences Sector, Microbiological Collections of Paraná Network, Room 135/136. 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
- Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Carlos E R Barquilha
- Graduate Program On Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hydraulics and Sanitation Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
- Hydraulics and Sanitation Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Caroline Kozak
- Environment Department, Maringa State University, SESI Block, 1800 Ângelo Moreira da Fonseca AvenueRoom 15, Parque Danielle, Umuarama, PR, 87506-370, Brazil
| | - Demian S Barcellos
- Hydraulics and Sanitation Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Z Leite
- Research and Innovation Management, Paraná Sanitation Company (SANEPAR), 1376 Eng. Rebouças St, Rebouças, Curitiba, PR, 80215-900, Brazil
| | - Fernanda J O Gomes da Costa
- Research and Innovation Management, Paraná Sanitation Company (SANEPAR), 1376 Eng. Rebouças St, Rebouças, Curitiba, PR, 80215-900, Brazil
| | - William L Martins
- Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Pâmela E Oliveira
- Hydraulics and Sanitation Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Edy H R A Pereira
- Hydraulics and Sanitation Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Cesar R Mota Filho
- Sanitary and Environmental Engineering Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), 6627 Antonio Carlos Avenue, Block 1, Room 4529, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Emanuel M de Souza
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Gustavo R C Possetti
- Research and Innovation Management, Paraná Sanitation Company (SANEPAR), 1376 Eng. Rebouças St, Rebouças, Curitiba, PR, 80215-900, Brazil
| | - Vania A Vicente
- Basic Pathology Department, Biological Sciences Sector, Microbiological Collections of Paraná Network, Room 135/136. 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
- Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil
| | - Ramiro G Etchepare
- Hydraulics and Sanitation Department, Federal University of Paraná, 100 Coronel Francisco Heráclito Dos Santos Avenue, Curitiba, PR, 81530-000, Brazil.
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Sott MK, Bender MS, da Silva Baum K. Covid-19 Outbreak in Brazil: Health, Social, Political, and Economic Implications. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH SERVICES 2022; 52:442-454. [PMID: 36062608 PMCID: PMC9445630 DOI: 10.1177/00207314221122658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 outbreak quickly spread to all corners of the globe. In Brazil, the outbreak was
particularly frightening because it worsened existing health, political, economic, and
social problems. The results already observed show the contagion ripple-spreading process
across the country, causing the death of thousands of people each day and counting, added
to a very serious wave of unemployment, scientific denial, and social precariousness.
Based on this, this study reviews recent research that looked at the role of the
government, the Brazilian health system, and the main economic and social impacts fostered
by the pandemic. We perform a scoping review according to the PRISMA-ScR to structure the
qualitative synthesis of the 67 associated documents. The results reinforce the negative
effects of the country's mismanagement and its consequent impacts on the Brazilian economy
and society. The battleground against COVID-19 has fueled political tensions, shaken the
health system, and unleashed social despair tinged with thousands of deaths. Finally, in
the present scoping review, we discuss concerns about the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak
in Brazil and what the world hopes the country has learned from the current crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariluza Sott Bender
- Department of Psychology, 67889University of Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil
| | - Kamila da Silva Baum
- Department of Economics, 28102Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Myers NT, Laumbach RJ, Black KG, Ohman‐Strickland P, Alimokhtari S, Legard A, De Resende A, Calderón L, Lu FT, Mainelis G, Kipen HM. Portable air cleaners and residential exposure to SARS-CoV-2 aerosols: A real-world study. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13029. [PMID: 35481935 PMCID: PMC9111720 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with COVID-19 who do not require hospitalization are instructed to self-isolate in their residences. Due to high secondary infection rates in household members, there is a need to understand airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within residences. We report the first naturalistic intervention study suggesting a reduction of such transmission risk using portable air cleaners (PACs) with HEPA filters. Seventeen individuals with newly diagnosed COVID-19 infection completed this single-blind, crossover, randomized study. Total and size-fractionated aerosol samples were collected simultaneously in the self-isolation room with the PAC (primary) and another room (secondary) for two consecutive 24-h periods, one period with HEPA filtration and the other with the filter removed (sham). Seven out of sixteen (44%) air samples in primary rooms were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA during the sham period. With the PAC operated at its lowest setting (clean air delivery rate [CADR] = 263 cfm) to minimize noise, positive aerosol samples decreased to four out of sixteen residences (25%; p = 0.229). A slight decrease in positive aerosol samples was also observed in the secondary room. As the world confronts both new variants and limited vaccination rates, our study supports this practical intervention to reduce the presence of viral aerosols in a real-world setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmala T. Myers
- Department of Environmental SciencesRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Robert J. Laumbach
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and JusticeRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Kathleen G. Black
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Pamela Ohman‐Strickland
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Department of Biostatistics and EpidemiologyRutgers School of Public HealthRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Shahnaz Alimokhtari
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Alicia Legard
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Adriana De Resende
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Leonardo Calderón
- Department of Environmental SciencesRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Frederic T. Lu
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Gediminas Mainelis
- Department of Environmental SciencesRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Howard M. Kipen
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and JusticeRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
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7
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Seo M, Lim H, Park M, Ha K, Kwon S, Shin J, Lee J, Hwang Y, Oh Y, Shin Y. Field study of the indoor environments for preventing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 in Seoul. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12959. [PMID: 34806218 PMCID: PMC9011577 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Despite the prolonged global spread of COVID-19, few studies have investigated the environmental influence on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 RNA with a metropolitan scale, particularly the detection of SARS-CoV-2 after disinfection at multi-use facilities. Between February 2020 and January 2021, 1,769 indoor air samples and object surfaces were tested at 231 multi-use facilities where confirmed cases were known to have occurred in Seoul, to determine whether SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be detected even after disinfection. Samples were collected by air scanner and swab pipette and detected by real-time RT-PCR. As a result, 10 (0.56%) positive samples were detected despite disinfection. The common environmental features of all 10 were surfaces that contained moisture and windowless buildings. With the aim of preventing the spread of COVID-19, from January to February 2021, we next conducted 643 preemptive tests before the outbreak of infections at 22 multi-use facilities where cluster infections were frequent. From these preemptive inspections, we obtained five (0.78%) positive results from two facilities, which enabled us to disinfect the buildings and give all the users a COVID-19 test. Based on the study purpose of finding and investigating cases of positive detection even after disinfection in the field through long-term environmental detection in a large city, our preemptive investigation results helped to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by confirming the potential existence of an asymptomatic patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjeong Seo
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and EnvironmentSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Hakmyeong Lim
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and EnvironmentSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Myungkyu Park
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and EnvironmentSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Kwangtae Ha
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and EnvironmentSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Seungmi Kwon
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and EnvironmentSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Jinho Shin
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and EnvironmentSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Jaein Lee
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and EnvironmentSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Youngok Hwang
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and EnvironmentSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Younghee Oh
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and EnvironmentSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Yongseung Shin
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and EnvironmentSeoulSouth Korea
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Detection of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces in Households of Persons with COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18158184. [PMID: 34360477 PMCID: PMC8345969 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18158184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 transmission from contaminated surfaces, or fomites, has been a concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Households have been important sites of transmission throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is limited information on SARS-CoV-2 contamination of surfaces in these settings. We describe environmental detection of SARS-CoV-2 in households of persons with COVID-19 to better characterize the potential risks of fomite transmission. Ten households with ≥1 person with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and with ≥2 members total were enrolled in Utah, U.S.A. Nasopharyngeal and anterior nasal swabs were collected from members and tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. Fifteen surfaces were sampled in each household and tested for presence and viability of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 23 (15%) of 150 environmental swab samples, most frequently on nightstands (4/6; 67%), pillows (4/23; 17%), and light switches (3/21; 14%). Viable SARS-CoV-2 was cultured from one sample. All households with SARS-CoV-2-positive surfaces had ≥1 person who first tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 ≤ 6 days prior to environmental sampling. SARS-CoV-2 surface contamination occurred early in the course of infection when respiratory transmission is most likely, notably on surfaces in close, prolonged contact with persons with COVID-19. While fomite transmission might be possible, risk is low.
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