Face masks as sources of cross-contamination during food preparation

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, mask-wearing has become a common practice in the foodservice industry to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. Like kitchen utensils, a mask may serve as a vehicle for cross-contamination of pathogens during food handling. The objective of this study was to quantify cross-contamination between tasks of handling contaminated chicken and chopping lettuce. Chicken breasts were inoculated with a high or a low level of nonpathogenic Escherichia coli surrogates (ca. 6 or 4 log CFU/ml) and sliced for 1, 5, or 10 min. During slicing, duplicate, single-use medical masks were touched each minute. One mask was immediately sampled, but the second mask was used to contaminate lettuce by touching the mask each minute while chopping the lettuce for 5 min. E. coli were enumerated from the second mask and lettuce. Masks touched while slicing both high- and low-inoculated chicken showed significant contamination (0.8-4.9 log CFU/cm2) after each slicing scenario of 1, 5, or 10 min (P > 0.05). Lettuce was significantly contaminated regardless of inoculation level (1.0-3.2 log CFU/g). Slicing time was a significant factor in some cases (P < 0.05), whereas inoculation level was not (P > 0.05). Data indicate masks can be a source of cross-contamination if not replaced appropriately.

Efficiency of UVC radiation as an air disinfectant in a real environment

Microbial contamination of indoor air in public spaces plays an important role in the SARSCoV-2 pandemic. So far, most studies on the reduction of airborne microbial load by UVC irradiation have been conducted as simulations or in laboratory environments. The aim of our study is to demonstrate the efficiency of Upper-Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) in a real environment like a supermarket. Restrictions on the use of harmful SARSCoV-2 particles for testing in public areas could be circumvented by using airborne germs as indicators. The results of this study show significant germ (bacterial and fungal) reductions by use of UVGI during business hours in a supermarket. Referring to known susceptibility values of airborne germs from previous work, we were able to estimate the effectiveness of the UVGI-system used against corona viruses. It met the requirements for complete disinfection. © 2022 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2022. All rights reserved.

Excellent performance by avoiding microbial contamination (EPBAMC): A new portal and model for safety of respirator masks approved by bacterial contamination field research

Introduction: Over the past decades, billions of people on Earth have used respirator masks to prevent animal-to-human and human-to-human virus transmission. Recent research has shown the low risk of surface transmission of COVID-19, which turned into a pandemic since January 2020. Social distancing and the use of masks indoors are the most important factors in breaking its transmission chain. Material and Methods: However, the use of contaminated respirator masks can cause dangerous microbial and viral diseases. By adding the factor "avoiding microbial contamination”, the proposed model, called "Excellent Performance by Avoiding Microbial Contamination (EPBAMC)”, improves the WHO's three-factor optimal-performance model of the respirator masks. In this study, to evaluate the need to add the factor of "avoiding contamination”, samples of brand-new respirator masks were collected from several countries and their microbial contamination was carefully studied. The research method was such that the research steps were performed with highest accuracy rate and no double infection was created. Results: By culturing in sterilized medium, the bacterial load of the respirator masks was studied and the results were analyzed. By performing different cultures, a variety of pathogenic microorganisms were identified on half of the respirator mask samples. Some brand-new respirator mask samples contained more than one pathogen. A very important issue was that bacteria were found in brand-new respirators distributed by pharmacies that cause nosocomial infections and are resistant to antibiotics. Conclusion: The results of this study made it necessary to review the standards of the production and distribution process and the procedures for controlling and inspecting respirator masks. © 2022, Published by Frontiers in Health Informatics.

Wastewater and the aquatic environment as a potential source of fecal-oral transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus / visnja orescanin

The world is on the threshold of the third wave of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic with over 118 million infected and over 2.6 million deaths. Over the past year, knowledge has been growing about the ways of spreading the infection, including oral-fecal transmission, as a result of the discharge of untreated municipal wastewater laden with the virus from the excrement of infected persons. On the other hand, it has been confirmed that the concentration of viruses in wastewater correlates well with the number of infected people, especially with the 14-day incidence, and therefore the analysis of wastewater provides a good insight into the regional epidemiological situation (water-based epidemiology, WBE) and can be used as a sensitive parameter in monitoring epidemiological trends. This paper provides an overview of the results of previous research on the ways of virus transmission, the main sources of viruses in waste water, the degree of loading of waste water and environmental samples, the survival of the virus in waste water and environmental samples, and techniques for removing and inactivating the virus in waste water. The world is facing the third wave of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemics, with over 118 million persons infected and over 2.6 million dead. In the past year, insights into the infection spread routes, including faecal-oral transmission due to untreated urban wastewater discharges containing the virus from excretions of infected persons. It has been also confirmed that the virus concentration in wastewater has a good correlation with the number of infected persons, particularly for a 14-day incidence, so that wastewater analysis provides a good insight into regional epidemiological situations and wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can be used as a sensitive parameter in the monitoring of epidemiological trends. This paper provides an overview of to-date research regarding the virus transmission routes, main virus sources in wastewater, load level in wastewater and environmental samples, virus survival in wastewater and environmental samples as well as techniques of virus removal from wastewater and its deactivation.

Consumer awareness about COVID-19 agency SARS-CoV-2 and protection methods in food safety

Objective: The aim of this research is to determine the methods used by consumers from all regions of the country to evaluate the COVID-19 factor SARSCoV-2 virus in terms of food safety and to protect against it. Materials and Methods: The data obtained as a result of the research were evaluated using the mean, probability value (p value), percentage values and squared (X2) importance test with the Minitab program. Results 74.35% of the 1006 people know that SARSCoV-2 Virus is the virus that causes COVID-19.41.25% think that the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is transmitted through food.65.90% of consumers think that SARS-CoV-2 virus will be protected by following all general hygiene rules and 53.67% by opting for packaged food that is not sold in the open. Conclusion: Based on the results of the survey, it was thought that the COVID-19 virus could be transmitted through food, but the accuracy of this information could not be definitively proven.

Analysis of epidemic characteristics and related factors of norovirus in diarrhea patients in Guangxi, 2015-2020

To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and related factors of norovirus in Guangxi from 2015 to 2020, and to provide scientific recommendations for norovirus prevention and control. Methods The foodborne diseases surveillance data were collected from 11 sentinel hospitals through the National Foodborne Disease Monitoring and Reporting System from 2015 to 2020. R software with version 4.0.3 was used for descriptive and statistical analysis, including epidemic curve, chi-square test, and trend chi-square and so on. Logistic regression was used to analyze norovirus-related factors, OR values and 95% confidence intervals were calculated respectively with the statistical test level of P < 0.05. Results There were 1 008 norovirus cases detected, with a detection rate of 12.75% (1 008/7 903). Children with age less than 5 years (OR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.13-1.82) and patients at age 20-45 (OR=1.45, 95%CI: 1.13-1.87) were high risk population. The detection rate was higher in autumn (OR=1.29, 95%CI: 1.08-1.53) but lower in summer (OR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.55-0.80). In addition, the tourist area (Guilin City) presented a higher detection rate than other areas (OR=1.41, 95%CI: 1.10-1.80). Aquatic products (OR=1.40, 95%CI: 1.03-1.91), meat and dairy products (OR=1.31, 95%CI: 1.06-1.61) were high-risk foods for norovirus infection. The prevention and control policies of COVID-19 can reduce the possibility of norovirus by 61% (OR=0.39, 95%CI: 0.31-0.49) showed a declining trend (Trend X2=85.33, P < 0.001). In addition, prolonged visit time can lead to 19%-23% decrease in the detection rate of norovirus (OR24-48 hours=0.81, 95%CI: 0.70-0.95;OR>48 hours=0.77, 95%CI: 0.63-0.93). Conclusions The epidemic of norovirus presented seasonal and regional distribution in Guangxi with a declining detection rate trend in diarrhea patients during recent 6 years. Young children were high-risk population in infection norovirus. The intake of seafood can increase the risk of norovirus infection. The prevention and control policies of COVID-19 can sharply decrease the possibility of infection norovirus. The monitoring of key foods such as seafood should be strengthened, and the early screening of suspected cases should be taken. The norovirus monitoring should be improved to ensure the health of the population.

Thyroid outbreak during the pandemic of COVID-19: a report

Background : In the 19th Week of 2020, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) noted an unusual increase in the number of fever cases in Routine Syndromic Surveillance. Objectives : The unusual increase of fever cases were investigated to identify the agent, the source of infection and to propose recommendations for control measures. Methods : Active surveillance of fever cases done, blood samples, stool samples and water samples were collected from the affected area. The secondary data of indoor and outdoor patient were collected from the nearest health facilities. Result : It was a single peak outbreak of typhoid, started from 1st May, 2020, had peaked during the 19th Week of May. 2020 and ended on 31st May, 2020. The epicentre of the outbreak was the residential colony of Industrial labour. The outbreak of Typhoid occurred due to conditions generated due to the pandemic of COVID -19. Two sources of active infection were found. First, contaminated supply of drinking water and second a food-handler, who was the carrier of Typhoid. Interpretation and Conclusion : It is a lesson to learn that the local communicable diseases should be monitor during the pandemic. Otherwise, that can cause the situation of co-epidemic.

Current pandemic COVID-19 vaccine strategies and development: a comprehensive review

The coronavirus disease-19 pandemic with the characteristics of asymptomatic condition, long incubation period and poor treatment has influenced the entire globe. Coronaviruses are important emergent pathogens, specifically, the recently emerged sever acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the causative virus of the current COVID-19 pandemic. To mitigate the virus and curtail the infection risk, vaccines are the most hopeful solution. The protein structure and genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 were processed and provided in record time;providing feasibility to the development of COVID-19 vaccines. In an unprecedented scientific and technological effort, vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been developed in less than one year. This review addresses the approaches adopted for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development and the effectiveness of the currently approved vaccines.Copyright © 2023, Finlay Ediciones. All rights reserved.

Ultraviolet C irradiation: A promising approach for the disinfection of public spaces?

Ultraviolet irradiation C (UVC) has emerged as an effective strategy for microbial control in indoor public spaces. UVC is commonly applied for air, surface, and water disinfection. Unlike common 254 nm UVC, far-UVC at 222 nm is considered non-harmful to human health, being safe for occupied spaces, and still effective for disinfection purposes. Therefore, and allied to the urgency to mitigate the current pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, an increase in UVC-based technology devices appeared in the market with levels of pathogens reduction higher than 99.9 %. This environmentally friendly technology has the potential to overcome many of the limitations of traditional chemical-based disinfection approaches. The novel UVC-based devices were thought to be used in public indoor spaces such as hospitals, schools, and public transport to minimize the risk of pathogens contamination and propagation, saving costs by reducing manual cleaning and equipment maintenance provided by manpower. However, a lack of information about UVC-based parameters and protocols for disinfection, and controversies regarding health and environmental risks still exist. In this review, fundamentals on UVC disinfection are presented. Furthermore, a deep analysis of UVC-based technologies available in the market for the disinfection of public spaces is addressed, as well as their advantages and limitations. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable inputs and strategies for the development of effective, reliable, and safe UVC disinfection systems.

Microbial Air Contamination in a Dental Setting Environment and Ultrasonic Scaling in Periodontally Healthy Subjects: An Observational Study.

The risk of microbial air contamination in a dental setting, especially during aerosol-generating dental procedures (AGDPs), has long been recognized, becoming even more relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, individual pathogens were rarely studied, and microbial loads were measured heterogeneously, often using low-sensitivity methods. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess microbial air contamination in the dental environment, identify the microorganisms involved, and determine their count by active air sampling at the beginning (T0), during (T1), and at the end (T2) of ultrasonic scaling in systemically and periodontally healthy subjects. Air microbial contamination was detected at T0 in all samples, regardless of whether the sample was collected from patients treated first or later; predominantly Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus and Bacillus spp. and a minority of fungi, were identified. The number of bacterial colonies at T1 was higher, although the species found were similar to that found during the T0 sampling, whereby Gram-positive bacteria, mainly Streptococcus spp., were identified. Air samples collected at T2 showed a decrease in bacterial load compared to the previous sampling. Further research should investigate the levels and patterns of the microbial contamination of air, people, and the environment in dental settings via ultrasonic scaling and other AGDPs and identify the microorganisms involved to perform the procedure- and patient-related risk assessment and provide appropriate recommendations for aerosol infection control.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of ultraviolet light sterilization in aerosols contaminated by SARS-CoV-2

Direct contact and aerial dissemination are the main transmission mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2. A direct approach to limiting airborne viral transmissions is to inactivate them within a short period of time after their production is ultraviolet C (UVC) light. In this sense, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using ultraviolet light in the sterilization of aerosols contaminated by SARS-CoV-2. For the study, all patients who were admitted to the COVID ward with positive swab results were analyzed. The patient chosen for the study had a positive result and had had 8 days of symptoms. Measurements of contamination from aerosol deposition on the CT table were performed in triplicate, using sterile swabs with viral transport medium. The patient was kept alone inside this room for 30 minutes, producing aerosols so that air contamination could occur. Afterwards, measurements were performed using exposure to ultraviolet C light, collected at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes, after the patient had left the tomography room. This sequence of measurements was carried out in 6 days, the first day being without exposure to UVC light and 5 days with exposure to UVC light. After data collection, swab analysis was performed for the results using the RT-PCR method. The results found for collections from time 0 to 180 minutes were negative for the 6 days of study. The patient's swab results were positive from the first to the last day of the study. Thus, the effectiveness of using ultraviolet light as a form of decontamination is concluded, along with the antimicrobial action of the disinfectant, as the absence of the live virus highlights the importance of hygiene care to prevent the recurrence of contamination after cleaning.

Survey of Microbial Contamination on The Floor of Computer Rooms in A University

Infectious diseases are those in which pathogens such as viruses and bacteria invade the human body and multiply, causing various adverse effects on the body. To prevent infectious diseases, it is important to sterilize and remove the causative microorganisms, as well as prevent the introduction and movement of microorganisms from the external environment. In our laboratory, we investigated the status of microbial contamination of shoes and floors shared within the university and confirmed that the degree of microbial contamination varied depending on the location. In this study, we investigated general live bacteria, fungi, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and coliform bacteria to determine the status of microbial contamination on the floors of two computer rooms. The number of colonies of general live bacteria and S. aureus tended to increase with the number of users, and vice versa;this trend was similar for fungi. No characteristic tendency was observed for £ coli and coliform bacteria.

Microbiological profile of oxygen humidifiers at a tertiary care centre in the Himalayas: An exploratory study

Background: Reusable humidifiers are often colonised by microbes, the aerosols generated from which are hypothesised to transmit respiratory infections-jeopardising patient safety. Material(s) and Method(s): In this time-bound cross-sectional study, 10 ml of water was collected in sterile containers from humidifiers installed in selected wards/critical care units/intensive care units and from the source used to refill these humidifiers. These samples were subjected to KOH and gram staining followed by inoculation on blood, MacConkey and Sabouraud dextrose agar and brain heart infusion broth in the aerobic environment at 37degreeC. Observations were recorded as per standard guidelines and compared against blood and respiratory cultures of patients. Result(s): Despite an average of 8.23 days of exposure to oxygen humidified by contaminated water, n = 28 (of n = 39) blood samples reported no growth (NG) and n = 12 reported nonpathogenic organisms (NPO). Among n = 18 available respiratory samples, n = 1 reported Escherichia coli, which was not cultured from the same humidifier indicative of some other source. n = 1 reported NG, n = 6 reported NPO and n = 10 reported normal throat flora. No fungal elements were reported from any humidifier, source, or patient samples. The source-humidifier pathogen pair did not match for any humidifier. Conclusion(s): Sterile patient cultures, despite prolonged exposure to oxygen humidified with contaminated water, indicate that humidifier contaminants did not infect patients. The disparity between the source or patient cultures and humidifier contaminants may be attributed to compromised universal precautions due to the exhaustion of health-care professionals during COVID-19. Furthermore, the type of water used to refill (Distilled/RO/Tap water) had no effect on the microbial contamination of humidifiers. Copyright © 2022 Journal of Patient Safety & Infection Control Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.

Containing the spread of COVID-19 through food safety and quality standards

This paper contends that the adoption of food safety and quality standards by small businesses and informal traders can assist in containing the spread of COVID-19. This is based on the hypothesis that small business owners and informal traders are aware of the benefits of food safety and quality standards and are thus willing to integrate them in their business operations. This hypothesis was tested via data collection in South Africa and Mozambique. The key research question was whether the adoption of food and safety standards by small businesses and informal traders can assist the containment of the spread of COVID-19. The paper has answered this question in the affirmative. It first highlights the benefits of standards and shows levels of awareness of food and safety standards by the small business owners and informal traders of South Africa and Mozambique. It concludes by discussing how the awareness of standards by small business owners can be used to integrate food safety and quality standards into the operations of small businesses and how this can promote the containment of the spread of COVID-19 while increasing the profitability and quality assurance among the small businesses and informal traders.

Viral, bacterial, and fungal contamination of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)

Introduction and objective: While the qualitative information about bacterial and fungal pollution of automated teller machine (ATM) surfaces is available in the scientific literature, there are practically no studies precisely quantifying this type of contamination. Regarding viruses, such data in relation to ATM surfaces are not available at all. Material and methods: The quantitative and qualitative control of adeno- and coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (based on qPCR/RT-qPCR and v-qPCR/v-RT-qPCR), bacterial and fungal contaminants (based on morphological and biochemical characteristics followed by PCR/RAPD typing) deposited on internal and external ATM surfaces (swab sampling), as well as present in the air of premises housing the ATM machines (inertial impaction sampling) belonging to the network of one of the largest Polish banks was performed. Results: As the air of premises housing ATMs was relatively clean, the internal (i.e. safe boxes and cash dispenser tracks) and external (i.e. touch screens and keypads) ATM surfaces were heavily polluted, reaching 599 CFU/cm2, 522 CFU/cm2, 17288 gc/cm2 and 2512 gc/cm2 for bacterial, fungal, coronaviral and adenoviral contaminants, respectively. The application of propidium monoazide (PMA) dye pretreatment for v-qPCR/v-RT-qPCR allows detection of the potentially infectious SARS-CoV-2 and adenoviral particulates on ATM surfaces. Conclusions: The packaged banknotes and people involved in their distribution, as well as general population using ATMs, can be the sources of this type of contamination and its potential victims. Highly efficient hygienic measures should be introduced to prevent unwanted pollution of both the distributed means of payment and ATM surfaces, and to avoid subsequent dissemination of microbial contaminants.

Economic epidemiology: analysis for the meat market

The relationship between international trade and animal health is particularly important in the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) of the World Trade Organization - WTO. Supported by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), SPS measures are scientifically justified and play an important role in placing epidemiology at the center of decisions related to health and animal trade. The objective of this study was to discuss the interactions between the international meat trade and the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases of viral origin, in a debate on how the current Covid-19 pandemic could change the consumer behavior related to health and hygiene issues, and how the meat sector was affected by SPS measures, highlighting the relevance of Brazil in this context.

Pathogenic microorganism monitoring and traceability exploration of medical waste disposal routes in children's hospital

OBJECTIVE: Due to the lack of effective monitoring of microbial spectrum of medical waste collection, transport, storage and transfer path, as well as the evaluation of disinfection effects in medical institutions, this study aimed to explore the microenvironment, prevention and control difficulties and management opinions of medical waste disposal path through the microbial analysis of the medical waste disposal path in model departments. METHODS According to the standard process, the environmental samples at different time periods before and after the disinfection of the medical waste disposal path in the model department were collected and analyzed. The drug resistance and molecular typing traceability of important pathogens were analyzed. And the dynamic effect of the whole path application of the disinfection scheme for medical waste disposal in the model department were evaluated. Efficient frequency and application effect of disinfection of and hygiene of relevant places and gloves were evaluated through environmental monitoring before and after disinfection. RESULTS Most of the isolated strains were environmental microorganisms, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were also isolated, and a multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strain was identified. Through typing and tracing the source, the multiple strains of A. Baumannii were found to be of different genetic origins and the two strains were from the same clonal line. Using original detection technology, no contamination of Salmonella and Shigella was found in the path. The new coronavirus and norovirus were not detected. However, the environmental pollution of rotavirus was obvious. CONCLUSION The risk of random transmission of rotavirus cannot completely solved by existing hand-sterilized regents. Timely or even frequent replacement of gloves is a simple solution in the workflow. The sterilized medical waste transfer vehicles are likely to become the pollution source of rotavirus after passing through a certain medical waste path. The medical waste disposal personnel should replace the rotating vehicle in time before entering other wards. In addition, due to the weak professional ability of cleaners, simple and easy process guidelines is the most effective solution at present.

Existence of severe acute respiratory syndrome causing Coronavirus-2 (COVID-19) on aquatic animals and aquatic products: a review

Many pandemic diseases have emerged in the history and millions of people affected from these diseases. Among the marked pandemics in history, the plague, known as the black death, was recorded to cause the death of 17-54% of the world population. Similar to previous pandemics, as the SARS CoV-2, which emerged in 2019 and belonged to the coronavirus family, caused an epidemic and turned into a pandemic infection, positive cases were detected in more than 483 million people, and more than 6.1 million people died. While this emerging epidemic is still continuing its effects, it has been determined that there are positive cases in pets such as dogs and cats, especially in mink (Neovison vison). Especially in Denmark, Netherlands and Finland, positive animals for COVID-19 were accepted. Unlike the pandemic until today, the COVID-19 has spread to broader geographies and affected many animal species. With the reports that the SARS-CoV-2 - was first transmitted from bats to humans, this viral agent has been accepted as zoonotic, but a complete transmission route has not been shown for its transmission from other animals to humans except bats. It is reported that there is no significant risk of transmission of the virus, which is transmitted primarily by the respiratory route, from both pets and edible foods to humans. Although there are many reports in terrestrial animals, studies on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 - in aquatic animals or aquatic environments and COVID-19 transmission in aquatic animals have doubts. Here we reviewed the viability of the SARS-CoV-2 - in the aquatic environment, transmission to the aquatic ecosystem and aquatic animals, and therefore the risks to humans through water or aquatic products.