SARS Can Live on Common Surfaces Key to Its Spread Lies in Quantity

The Washington Post ^ | May 4, 2003 | Rob Stein

[FairOpinion]

The SARS virus can survive on common surfaces at room temperature for hours or even days, which could explain how people can catch the deadly lung infection without face-to-face contact with a sick person, scientists have found.

New laboratory studies, being released today, have produced the first scientific data on how long the SARS virus can live in various places and conditions, demonstrating for the first time that the microbe can linger outside an infected person's body.

One study showed the virus survived for at least 24 hours on a plastic surface at room temperature, which suggests it might be possible to become infected from touching a tabletop, doorknob or other object. Another found the microbe remained viable for as long as four days in human waste, a crucial finding that could clarify how the virus can spread through apartment buildings, hospitals and other facilities.

[FairOpinion]

THIS is really bad news. Article also says that detergent failed to kill the virus, in other words you can't even easily disinfect places.

[FairOpinion]

You may want to send this to your ping list.

[IYAAYAS]

I'd like to make my hypotheses. Those without D32 at gene CCR5 will die at a high rate. Those with one copy will live. Those with 2 copies cannot become infected.

[Grig]

And the significance of a D32 at gene CCR5 is what?

[1FreeAmerican]

Are you sure it was'nt D33 at gene CCR6?

[IYAAYAS]

Do a quick search, read a few articles and look for the pattern.

[Mr. Mulliner]

SARS ping

[Judith Anne]

Want my forecast? Invest in medical disposables that aren't in common use yet--disposable sheets, pillows and pillow cases, for instance.

[Judith Anne]

PS, thanks for posting.

[FairOpinion]

"Invest in medical disposables "

---

AND disposable personal hygiene items,like little packages of gloves,toilet covers, etc., which you can carry with you anywhere.

After all, if the virus survives on surfaces, which can't even be readily disinfected, you go into a public building, touch a doorknob and may get it.

[IYAAYAS]

Bought APT 2 weeks ago, sold wednesday made almost %100. That one's done now though.

[jdogbearhunter]

re: SARS and HIV link..?
D32 at gene CCR5 seems to convey some "immunity" towards HIV infection, ergo...

[IYAAYAS]

Look for more info. D32 story is amazing. If I tried to summarize it I would look even more foolish.

[jdogbearhunter]

The [Delta]ccr5 mutation conferring protection against HIV-1 in Caucasian populations has a single and recent origin in Northeastern Europe

http://hmg.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/full/7/3/399

[Judith Anne]

We need disposables for stuff that isn't disposable as of yet...For one thing, as I mentioned, sheets, pillows, pillow cases, blankets--and scrubs. There should be disposable scrubs, shoes, etc. Some kind of antibiotic shampoo/body wash that can be used going off shift in a decontamination room...like the surgery staff does before surgery, the medical staff should do AFTER their shift...remember, you heard it here first, by me. ;-D

[jdogbearhunter]

ALSO...

"German scientists reported an odd twist to the mutation story. At the eighth annual retrovirus meeting here, they reported evidence suggesting that the mutation could have a negative effect for people infected with the hepatitis C virus, which causes potentially fatal liver disease."

I suppose the Chinese will do better with HepC, but not so well with SARS.

[IYAAYAS]

"protection against HIV-1 in Caucasian populations"

Who ever heard of such a thing?

Keep looking, it gets better.

[IYAAYAS]

"The [Delta]ccr5 mutation conferring protection against HIV-1 in Caucasian populations has a single and recent origin in Northeastern Europe"

recent origin=more than 1000 years ago (at least).

[blam]

We've been talking (over the days) about the lack of sufficient quantities of ventilators and other isolation facilities. How about isolating all SARS patients in the US on those large military hospital ships, everyone comes and goes by helicopter while they're anchored 2-3 miles offshore? Everyone who exits the helicopter gets a disinfecting shower, etc.

[blam]

"The [Delta]ccr5 mutation conferring protection against HIV-1 in Caucasian populations has a single and recent origin in Northeastern Europe"

I do believe we have had an AIDS epidemic in the past. I believe that is why homosexuality is frowned on in the Christian religion.