Survival Time and Influential Factors of Viruses on Surface of Inanimate Objects

ABSTRACT

On March 11th, 2020, WHO declared a global pandemic of COVID-19. The occurrence of viral infectious diseases in the population should have three interrelated conditions, namely the infection source, the transmission way and the susceptible population, and the transmission way is a key link. From the perspective of environmental transmission, the survival time and influencing factors of viruses, such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) on inanimate surfaces were reviewed. The results showed that some infectious virus, including coronaviruses, could survive for hours to days on a variety of inanimate surfaces, which might result in virus spread in the environment and potential health risks. Object materials, temperature, humidity and virus load were the main factors affecting the survival of viruses on inanimate surfaces. Based on the above analysis, specific prevention and control measures were proposed for the collection, transportation and treatment of medical waste and household waste, in order to provide reference for taking effective measures to control 2019-nCoV and other viruses in the future. © 2020, Editorial Board, Research of Environmental Sciences. All right reserved.