tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Int J Environ Res Public Health
. 2021 Mar 21;18(6):3252.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18063252.
First Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 on the Surfaces of Tourist-Recreational Facilities in Italy
Maria Teresa Montagna[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Osvalda De Giglio[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Carla Calia[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Chrysovalentinos Pousis[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Francesca Apollonio[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Carmen Campanale[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Giusy Diella[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Marco Lopuzzo[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Angelo Marzella[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Francesco Triggiano[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Vincenzo Marcotrigiano[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Domenico Pio Sorrenti[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Giovanni Trifone Sorrenti[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Pantaleo Magarelli[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Giuseppina Caggiano[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
A Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by a new virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), spreads via direct contact through droplets produced by infected individuals. The transmission of this virus can also occur via indirect contact if objects and surfaces are contaminated by secretions from individuals with COVID-19 or asymptomatic carriers. Environmental contamination with SARS-CoV-2 is high in hospital settings; on the contrary, surface contamination in non-healthcare settings is still poorly studied. In this study, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on the surfaces of 20 tourist-recreational facilities was investigated by performing a total of 100 swabs on surfaces, including refrigerator handles, handrails, counters, tables, and bathroom access doors. Six (6%) swabs from four (20%) tourist-recreational facilities tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; the surfaces that were involved were toilet door handles, refrigerator handles, handrails, and bar counters. This study highlights that SARS-CoV-2 is also present in non-healthcare environments; therefore, in order to limit this worrying pandemic, compliance with behavioral rules and the adoption of preventive and protective measures are of fundamental importance not only in healthcare or work environments but also in life environments.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; environment; respiratory infections; surface; tourist-recreational facilities.
. 2021 Mar 21;18(6):3252.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18063252.
First Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 on the Surfaces of Tourist-Recreational Facilities in Italy
Maria Teresa Montagna[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Osvalda De Giglio[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Carla Calia[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Chrysovalentinos Pousis[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Francesca Apollonio[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Carmen Campanale[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Giusy Diella[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Marco Lopuzzo[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Angelo Marzella[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Francesco Triggiano[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Vincenzo Marcotrigiano[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Domenico Pio Sorrenti[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Giovanni Trifone Sorrenti[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Pantaleo Magarelli[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Giuseppina Caggiano[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 33801099
- DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18063252
Abstract
A Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by a new virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), spreads via direct contact through droplets produced by infected individuals. The transmission of this virus can also occur via indirect contact if objects and surfaces are contaminated by secretions from individuals with COVID-19 or asymptomatic carriers. Environmental contamination with SARS-CoV-2 is high in hospital settings; on the contrary, surface contamination in non-healthcare settings is still poorly studied. In this study, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on the surfaces of 20 tourist-recreational facilities was investigated by performing a total of 100 swabs on surfaces, including refrigerator handles, handrails, counters, tables, and bathroom access doors. Six (6%) swabs from four (20%) tourist-recreational facilities tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; the surfaces that were involved were toilet door handles, refrigerator handles, handrails, and bar counters. This study highlights that SARS-CoV-2 is also present in non-healthcare environments; therefore, in order to limit this worrying pandemic, compliance with behavioral rules and the adoption of preventive and protective measures are of fundamental importance not only in healthcare or work environments but also in life environments.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; environment; respiratory infections; surface; tourist-recreational facilities.