Public Health Matters: Understanding Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Original content c/o: ECOLAB

WHAT IS IT?
Coronaviruses are RNA enveloped viruses than can infect animals and humans. So far, there are six known human coronaviruses. Four of these coronaviruses are less pathogenic, generally causing only minor respiratory symptoms like the common cold. Two other coronaviruses — Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV) — can cause serious respiratory diseases.

A new strain of Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has emerged, is causing illnesses globally and is different from other coronaviruses. To date, the virus has infected thousands of people, with more than a hundred reported deaths. As surveillance proceeds, there may be more cases identified. Some but not all the cases are linked to a live animal market Wuhan City, in the Hubei Province of China. Public Health authorities are very actively investigating this outbreak and the situation will evolve.

Because of this, public health recommendations focus on standard infection control practices to reduce exposure to and transmission of a range of illnesses

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Symptoms of 2019-nCoV are like other upper-respiratory infections, including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. They range from mild to severe and appear 2-14 days after exposure.

HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED?
Since Coronaviruses can be extremely contagious and spread easily from person to person, medical diagnosis is required.

Transmission routes for 2019-nCoV, include:

• The air by coughing and sneezing
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with virus particles, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.

There are some reports of person to person transmission with 2019-nCoV

HOW IS IT CONTROLLED?
There are currently no vaccines available to protect you against human coronavirus infection.

Infection risk can be reduced by doing the following:

• Wash your hands often and correctly. Washing your hands often with soap and water is one of the best ways to avoid transmission of emerging pathogens. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands 
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick 
• In regions where excessive cases are being reported, avoid areas where live animals are being sold or raised. 

If you have fever or other symptoms after traveling home, you should wear a mask and seek medical advice immediately and tell the doctor where you have visited recently. 

Enveloped viruses are the least resistant to inactivation by disinfection. The structure of these viruses includes a lipid envelope, which is easily compromised by most disinfectants. Once the lipid envelope is damaged, the integrity of the virus is compromised, thereby neutralizing its infectivity. 

As with any communicable disease, it is recommended to focus on proper hand hygiene and disinfection of high-touchpoint areas including railings, doorknobs and handles and restroom surfaces.

For additional information regarding Coronavirus, please reference the below useful resources from ECOLAB:

Coronavirus Fact Sheet  |  Coronavirus Infection Prevention for Full Service Restaurants

WATCH: Understanding Coronavirus Webinar
Ecolab experts discuss COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and how healthcare, long term care, hospitality, restaurants and food and beverage processing business can take action to help protect employees and customers and combat this recent public health outbreak. This hour-long webinar includes 30 min of Q&A with Ecolab experts about business specific actions.

References:

WHO – https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus 
CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
EPA – https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USAEPAOPPT/bulletins/278c716