WHO has issued a document saying that spraying disinfectants to eliminate new corona virus can prove to be ineffective. This document was on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces as a part of the response against COVID-19.
Geneva: Some countries are spraying disinfectants on the streets can not eliminate the risk of new corona virus outbreak. It can even pose a health risk to humans and their pets. It was a warning issued by the World Health Organization on Saturday. May 16th, 2020.
WHO says that spraying disinfectant on surfaces, as a part of responding to the new corona virus threat, can prove to be not only ineffective but may also prove to be injurious to the health of humans and their pets.
“Spraying or fumigation of outdoor spaces, such as streets or marketplaces, isNot recommended to kill the COVID-19 virus or other pathogens because disinfectant is inactivated by dirt and debris,” explains the WHO.
“Even in the absence of organic matter, chemical spraying is unlikely to adequately cover all surfaces for the duration of the required contact time needed to inactivate pathogens.” The WHO said that streets and pavements are not considered as “reservoirs of infection” of COVID-19, adding that spraying disinfectants, even outside, can be “dangerous for human health”.
This document also emphasizes that spraying individuals with disinfectants is “not recommended under any circumstances”.
“This could be physically and psychologically harmful and would not reduce an infected person’s ability to spread the virus through droplets or contact,” said the document.
Spraying chemicals, which are toxic to the skin or chlorine may result into eye and skin irritation. It can also cause bronchospasm or have negative gastrointestinal effects.
This organization has also warned against spraying of disinfectants or fumigating on to surfaces of indoor spaces. It has cited examples where it has proved to be ineffective outside direct spraying areas.
“If disinfectants are to be applied, this should be done with a cloth or wipe that has been soaked in disinfectant,” it says.
This new corona virus or SARS CoV 2 virus has exploded as a global pandemic and has claimed more than 300,000 lives across the world so far, since late December, when it first appeared in Wuhan city of China. This virus can attach itself to surfaces and objects.
But, no specific information is yet available for the time period during which the coronavirus remains active on various surfaces. Studies have shown that this virus can remain alive on various types of surfaces for several days. But these maximum durations are only theoretical. These are recorded under laboratory conditions only. It should be “interpreted with caution” in the real-world environment.
