Dr Suman Saha
MBBS, MD (Microbiology), CCCS, Consultant Microbiologist, R N Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Kolkata
Considering the current pandemic of COVID 19 & the method of transmission of the diseases Disinfection plays a very important role in breaking the chain of transmission of infection through surfaces. As the prevention from aerosol routes of transmission have been addressed but the transmission through surfaces has not been attended.so surface disinfection also plays a major role in transmitting the disease. It is of same importance as of hand hygiene and social distancing. People are unaware of the surface cleanliness and can contract the disease unknowingly. So, disinfection plays a major role at this time where we are in the verge of community transmission of COVID 19.
Corona virus is one the major pathogen that primarily targets the human respiratory system. Enveloped single stranded RNA virus that has affinity for host cell ACE2 receptors.
Family-Coronaviridae, Genus- Coronavirus, Subset- Betacorona virus, Subgenus- Sarbecoronavirus. Virus particle diameter- 120 nm. This large family of viruses has crownlike spikes on their surface. There are other 6 types of corona viruses that infect people and the 7th & the new one is SARSCOV2. It consists of M-membrane, E-envelope, N-nucleocapsid, S-spike, HE- haemagglutinin.
Due to presence of these spike it is called corona viruses. IN 2019- ncov suspected to be from the sea food market in Wuhan.
Epidemiology: Incubation period- 5.2 days, Median Incubation period- 14 days, globally about 3.4% of reported COVID19 cases have died.
Severity of symptoms: 80% have mild or asymptomatic infection, 15% has severe infection requiring oxygen, 5% has critical infection requiring ventilation.
Now, Peracetic Acid (PAA) is a strong oxidant and extremely effective compound. It is among EPA registered chemicals. PAA has wide range of actions against bacteria, virus, fungus and spore also. PAA has been the disinfection of choice for its properties and effectiveness. It does not linger on surfaces and it is also biodegradable. It can be used to satire surface, vessels, closed systems & equipment safely. It is highly effective also at low temp. Considering the current pandemic of COVID19 PAA is good option as a disinfectant which will be helpful for preventing the disease transmission.
Quaternary Ammonium compound is also a low-level disinfectant. It is mainly active against bacteria and nonenveloped virus. Now when it is combined with alcohol it can be used to kill enveloped viruses. This compound is widely used for floor cleaning and for fogging purposes.