Researchers assume that the new coronavirus is not particularly transmitted through surfaces.

Can I become infected with the new coronavirus through used clothing?

There are no definitive studies on how long SARS-CoV-2 survives on surfaces.
There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted through surfaces.

We received the following request via our community:

Screenshot mimikama.org
Screenshot mimikama.org

Many of us know eBay, Kleiderkreisel etc.
What does it actually do with second hand items, such as used clothing etc? Is there a possibility of getting infected?

The fact check

Many people are worried that the new coronavirus could spread to other people through imported goods, food, cell phones, tools, dishes, cutlery and clothing. In addition, knowledge about the exact transmission routes of the new coronavirus is still limited. However, the transmission routes of closely related other coronaviruses are well known, and SARS-CoV-2 is unlikely to be fundamentally different.

According to Rachel Graham , an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina, viruses cannot survive for very long on porous surfaces - banknotes, hair, fabrics - they "get caught" in the tiny spaces and are difficult to transmit.

In general, you should follow the rule of thumb to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly after touching things that other people have previously touched.

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment writes the following on this topic:

Can imported goods from regions where the disease is widespread be a source of infection in humans?

[As of March 13, 2020] Based on the current state of knowledge, due to the transmission routes identified so far and the relatively low environmental stability of coronaviruses, it is unlikely that imported goods such as imported food or consumer goods and toys, tools, computers, clothing or shoes are the source of an infection with the virus could be novel coronavirus. This assessment also applies after the recent publication on the survivability of the known coronaviruses by scientists from the Universities of Greifswald and Bochum

The Robert Koch Institute adds:

Is there a risk of becoming infected with the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) through imported food, surfaces or objects?

[As of February 7, 2020] For coronaviruses that can cause respiratory diseases, transmission occurs primarily via secretions of the respiratory tract. If these infectious secretions get on the hands, which then touch the face, for example, it is possible that transmission can also take place in this way.

good hand hygiene is an important part of prevention. However, transmission via inanimate surfaces has not yet been documented. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 via surfaces that are not in the immediate environment of a symptomatic patient, such as imported goods, mail or luggage, therefore appears unlikely.

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In general, thorough hand washing, as recommended by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) , is an important part of personal hygiene and can protect against a variety of other infections such as gastrointestinal diseases.

Regardless of this, the Robert Koch Institute has no tasks in the area of ​​evaluating food or objects. Questions on this topic are the responsibility of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) responsible for the topic of occupational safety

And the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health explains:

Does the transport of goods play a role in the occupational risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2?

Infection via imported goods is very unlikely. In advance would have to

  • contamination has occurred,
  • the virus may still be active after transport for several days or weeks and
  • the virus can be transmitted in sufficient numbers as droplet or smear infections.

It is currently unknown whether the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 remains infectious in liquid or dried material for several days. Maintaining infectivity on dried surfaces, e.g. B. packaging or technical devices is unlikely.

There is no evidence of the risk of infection through contact with goods from China, nor was there any during the SARS epidemic in 2003. Maintaining basic hygiene is recommended, including regular hand washing with soap and water.

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However, adhere to the usual protective measures specified for your industry in the event of threats from biological substances if vermin or mold infestation occur (see also DGUV practical aid for freight containers ).

Activities with animals or vermin and their excretions can be associated with exposure to biological substances (bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi) and are subject to the Biological Substances Ordinance (BioStoffV). TRBA 400 provides assistance with risk assessment . Information about species-specific infectious agents is provided by, for example, B. the TRBA 230 .

The occupational safety measures to be generally determined as part of the risk assessment should generally be sufficient to ensure protection against such infections even in the extremely unlikely event of SARS-CoV-2 contamination.

The current information from the RKI and the BfR also provides information on imported goods and other matters relating to SARS-CoV-2:

RKI: Answers to frequently asked questions about the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

BfR: Respiratory diseases caused by novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Conclusion

There is no evidence that the new coronavirus is transmitted to humans through surfaces, food, etc. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 behaves unstable in the environment. A smear infection would be conceivable, but it would have to happen in a very short time frame.

Researchers also assume that viruses cannot persist very well on fabrics, such as clothing.

Related to the topic: Chain letter: The misleading advice against the new coronavirus

Article image: stockfour / Shutterstock


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Notes:
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