With the resurgence of the SARS-CoV-2 variants in the media, concerns are reaching us about the efficacy of surface and hand disinfectants for the SARS-Cov-2 variants.
Currently, Omicron is displacing the previously most relevant mutations from the media. In this article, we briefly summarize some of the more common questions about mutations, transmission, Omicron, and disinfectant efficacy.
Background and viral mutations
SARS-CoV-2 are positive-stranded RNA viruses that cause COVID-19 disease in animals and humans. The COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness of the risks associated with viral mutations, but such mutations are actually nothing unusual and occur regularly in viruses (as they do in SARS-CoV-2). During replication, the genetic material often changes, and in most cases, this change has hardly any influence on the functionality of the viruses. Rarely, however, the changes are advantageous, which in turn allows these variants to become more widespread.
The WHO, in cooperation with other agencies, monitors the so-called "variants of concern" (VOC). These are characterized, for example, by the improved ability to circumvent immune protection or the transmissibility of the virus.
According to the WHO, delta (B.1.617.2), omicron (B.1.1.529), alpha (B.1.1.7), beta (B.1.351) and gamma (P.1) mutations are currently of concern.
gamma (P.1) mutations are among the SARS-CoV-2 virus variants of concern.
Omicron: WHO update of 26 November 2021
Transmission
It is not clear whether the Omicron variant is more transmissible than other variants, but it does displace other variants in some countries. However, this does not mean that it is more transmissible, as this can also happen for other reasons.
The extent of disease
It is not clear whether Omicron causes more severe disease. In countries where the variant is detected, there are more cases and hospitalizations, but this may also be because rates are increasing overall and not specifically caused by the Omicron variant.
Protection against infections and serious consequences
Current vaccines appear to protect against serious illness and death, but the official analysis will take several weeks. Reports from Pfizer and Moderna are expected by the end of the year.
Re-infection
The initial analysis is that unvaccinated people who were previously infected (and thus have some natural immunity) are more likely to be infected by Omicron than vaccinated people, but this is a preliminary assessment and not an official analysis of the data, which will take several more weeks.
Detection
The current PCR tests still detect the omicron variant in clinical samples with high accuracy. No changes to the tests are recommended.
SARS-CoV-2 - Transmission
While environmental hand or surface transmission of the virus is considered a secondary route of transmission compared to respiratory droplet infections, an estimated ~10% of SARS-CoV-2 infections occur via contaminated hands or surfaces (Ferretti, 2020).
Are alcohol-based hand and surface disinfectants effective against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants?
The chemical disinfectants (for hands and surfaces) work mainly by destroying the lipid envelope. Both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recommend frequent hand hygiene and the use of government-approved disinfectants to address the risk of environmental transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Despite concerns that new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are more easily transmissible, currently approved surface disinfectants and recommended alcohol-based hand sanitizers are believed to be equally effective against these new variants. Current public health practices, including hand hygiene and cleaning and disinfection of hard surfaces, should be maintained until it becomes apparent that adjustments in measures are needed.
References
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en
Ferretti L, et. al. Quantifying SARS-CoV-2 transmission suggests epidemic control with digital contact tracing. Science. 2020; 368: 619.
Robert Koch Institut.Overview of SARS-CoV-2 virus variants of concern (VOC). Retrieved 16 Dec 2021 from: https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Virusvariante.html
World Health Organization. Update on Omicron. 2021. Retrieved 14 Dec 2021 from https://www.who.int/news/item/28-11-2021-update-on-omicron
Use biocides/disinfectants safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
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