Last week, we had carried out poll about the risk of infection from different sources. We can check the results of the poll here. We can clearly see that we have a wide range of variation in our understanding. So, let's try to do a fact check.
Here, we will try to discuss frequently asked questions and
answers.
(Please note that these are not my opinion. All the
following information below has been obtained from German Federal Institute for
Risk Assessment. To read the original article, please go to their website.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the known transmission pathways of
coronavirus?
The known transmission pathways are
· a. Droplet
infection (for example, when sneezing or coughing) is the most common
pathways
· b. Aerosol transmission when speaking - also
seems possible
· c. Contact or smear infections: viruses
located on the hands enter the mucus membranes of the nose or eyes, where they
may lead to an infection.
2. Can we become infected with coronaviruses
via food or objects?
There is currently no evidence of humans being infected via
consumption of contaminated food. The transmission through contact infections
via surfaces that were recently contaminated with viruses is theoretically
possible. However, due to the relatively low stability of coronaviruses in the environment,
it is only possible to occur during a short period after contamination.
Currently, there is no reliable evidence of transmission of virus via contact
with contaminated objects or contaminated surfaces.
3. Can coronaviruses survive and remain
infectious on solid and dry surfaces, outside human or animal organisms?
In general, human coronaviruses are not particularly stable
on dry surfaces. Inactivation in dry conditions generally occurs within a
period from a few hours to a couple of days.
4. Can imported goods from regions where the
disease has spread be sources of an infection in humans?
It is unlikely that imported goods such as foods, cosmetics
or consumer goods and toys, tools, computers, clothes or shoes may be sources
of an infection.
5. Can workers handling containers, processing
of imported semi-finished products, components or other prefabricated products,
be infected by the new type of pathogen?
Due to the low environmental stability of coronaviruses, a
transmission of the pathogen via this method seems unlikely in most cases.
6. How can we protect ourselves from being
infected by the virus via food and products (including cosmetics)?
Coronaviruses cannot multiply in food as they need a living
animal or human host to do this. As the viruses are sensitive to heat, the risk
of infection can also be further reduced by heating foods. Cosmetic products,
such as lipsticks or make-up, should not be shared or used by multiple people
and creams from opened pots should only be removed with thoroughly washed hands
or a clean spatula.
7. Can the new type of coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2 be transmitted via dishes and cutlery in canteens and other places
people eat together?
Coronaviruses can generally reach cutlery or dishes through
an infected person sneezing or coughing directly on them and they can survive
on these solid surfaces for some time. A smear infection then appears to be
possible if the virus is transmitted via cutlery or the hands to the mucous
membranes of the nose, eyes, mouth or throat. However, we are not aware of any
infections with SARS-CoV-2 via this transmission method.
8. Can coronaviruses be transmitted by
touching surfaces such as cash, card terminals, door handles, mobile, shopping
trolley handles, packaging or bags?
We are not aware of any infections with SARS-CoV-2 via this
transmission path. Coronaviruses can generally reach surfaces through an
infected person sneezing or coughing directly on them and they can survive
there for some time. A smear infection to another person appears to be possible
if the virus is transmitted shortly afterwards via the hands to the mucous
membranes of the nose, eyes, mouth or throat. For protection against virus
transmission via contaminated surfaces, it is important to comply with the
general hygiene rules, such as washing hands regularly and keeping hands away
from the face.
9. Can coronaviruses be transmitted via
bakery goods or fresh fruit and vegetables?
We are not aware of any infections with SARS-CoV-2 via this
transmission path. Coronaviruses can generally reach bakery products or fruit
and vegetables through an infected person sneezing or coughing directly on
them. They cannot multiply in food, as they need a living animal or human host
to do this. A smear infection to another person then appears to be possible if
the virus is transmitted shortly afterwards via the hands or the food itself to
the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, mouth or throat. To protect yourself
from virus transmission, it is crucially important to observe the general rules
of everyday hygiene such as washing your hands regularly and keeping your hands
away from your face.
10. Can coronaviruses be transmitted via meat
products?
Contamination of meat or meat products with coronaviruses
could theoretically happen during slaughter or during meat cutting and
processing. However, we are not aware of any SARS-CoV-2 infections via
consumption of meat products or contact with contaminated meat products.
According to current state of knowledge, farm animals used for meat production
cannot be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and, therefore, cannot transmit the virus to
humans via this pathway.
Coronaviruses can generally be transmitted from an infected
person to sausage and meat if hygiene rules are ignored, for example, via
contaminated hands or by direct sneezing or coughing. However, the hygiene
rules and protective measures that usually must be observed in abattoirs and
meat cutting facilities generally minimise the risk of contamination with
pathogens, which also applies to SARS-CoV-2. A smear infection of another
person only appears theoretically possible if this food is touched shortly
after contamination and the virus is then transmitted via the hands to the
mucous membranes of the nose, eyes or mouth.
11. Can coronaviruses be transmitted via milk
from cows fed on possibly contaminated feed?
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via milk, as for other foods, is
unlikely on the basis of current knowledge. We are not aware of any infections
with SARS-CoV-2 via this transmission method.
12. Can coronaviruses be transmitted via feed
for pets or livestock?
So far, there is no evidence that animal feed is a vehicle
for coronaviruses. This applies both to the feeding of livestock and to the
feeding of pets.
13. Can coronaviruses be transmitted via drinking vessels in community
catering facilities, such as canteens or refectories?
We are not yet aware of any such infection chain. According
to the current state of knowledge, the oral/alimentary transmission route (via
the oesophagus and stomach) does not play a role in the current outbreak of
SARS-CoV-2. Transmission primarily occurs via droplets resulting from coughing
and sneezing, which are absorbed by other people via the mucous membranes of
the respiratory tract and, sometimes, the eyes, nose or mouth. A virus
contamination from drinking vessels, such as drinking glasses, in gastronomy
would need the usage by an infected person, whereby the virus is transmitted to
the glass via the hands or saliva. Transmission to another person through
mucous membrane contact with the glass may then - theoretically - occur if this
vessel has not been sufficiently cleaned in the meantime. However, infections
with SARS-CoV-2 via this transmission method have not yet been detected. It is
highly likely that soap and detergents used for cleaning these substances
damage the virus surface and render the virus inactive.
14. Can you get infected with SARS-CoV-2 via
contaminated frozen food?
The previous coronaviruses SARS and MERS are resistant to
cold and can remain infectious at minus 20°C for up to 2 years in a frozen
state. So far we are not aware of infection for SARS-CoV-2 through food
consumption, including frozen food. Compliance with the general rules of
hygiene for preparing food should be taken into account.
(Please note that these are not my opinion. All the information above has been obtained from German Federal Institute for
Risk Assessment. To read the original article, please go to their website.)
If you have any corrections or suggestions for improvements, please feel free to comment below.
Share this information to your near and dear friends.
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