The SARS CoV strain used in this study is HKU39849. In the present study, we report the stability of the SARS coronavirus at different temperatures and relative humidity. The survival effects of these environmental factors on SARS coronavirus remain unclear. A recent study using surrogate coronaviruses (transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and mouse hepatitis virus (MHC)) has investigated the effect of air temperature and relative humidity on coronavirus survival on surface. Thus, information on the survival of the SARS coronavirus (SCoV) in the environment at different temperature and humidity conditions is of significant interest to understanding virus transmission. There have been some studies reporting an association between the SARS outbreak, metrological factors, and air pollution. Human coronaviruses have been shown to survive in PBS or culture medium with 5–10% FCS for several days but they only survive a few hours after drying. Another study showed that it was inactivated by ultraviolet light, alkaline ( ), or acidic ( ) conditions. It was completely inactivated by common fixatives used in laboratory.
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We and others have reported that infectivity of SARS CoV (SARS coronavirus) was lost after heating at 56☌ for 15 minutes but that it was stable for at least 2 days following drying on plastic. Infectious virus is detectable in the faeces, and aerosolization of virus in contaminated faeces is believed to be the mode of transmission of this outbreak. An outbreak of disease affecting over 300 residents in high-rise apartment block (Amoy Gardens) in Hong Kong could not be explained by respiratory droplet transmission from infected patients. However, the role of fomites and environmental contamination in transmission of infection is presently still unclear. A study showed that viral aerosol generation by a patient with SARS was possible and therefore airborne droplet transmission was a possible means of transmission.
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The disease is presumed to be spread by droplets, close direct or indirect contact, but the relative importance of these routes of transmission is presently unclear.
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A notable feature of this disease was its predilection for transmission in the health care setting and to close family and social contacts. SARS had a dramatic impact on health care services and economies of affected countries, and the overall mortality rate was estimated to be 9%, but rising to 50% in those aged 60 or above. A novel coronavirus was identified as its cause. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), was a new emerging disease associated with severe pneumonia and spread to involve over 30 countries in 5 continents in 2003. It may also explain why some Asian countries in tropical area (such as Malaysia, Indonesia or Thailand) with high temperature and high relative humidity environment did not have major community outbreaks of SARS. The better stability of SARS coronavirus at low temperature and low humidity environment may facilitate its transmission in community in subtropical area (such as Hong Kong) during the spring and in air-conditioned environments. However, virus viability was rapidly lost (>3 log 10) at higher temperatures and higher relative humidity (e.g., 38☌, and relative humidity of >95%). The dried virus on smooth surfaces retained its viability for over 5 days at temperatures of 22–25☌ and relative humidity of 40–50%, that is, typical air-conditioned environments.
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The stability of the virus at different temperatures and relative humidity on smooth surfaces were studied. However the virus is also detectable in other body fluids and excreta. The main route of transmission of SARS CoV infection is presumed to be respiratory droplets.