Environmental surface surveillance during a COVID-19 outbreak in a school community: implications for controlling indirect transmission.

Autor: Cherem J; Núcleo de Pesquisa Biomédica, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil., Alvarenga IM; Núcleo de Pesquisa Biomédica, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil., Coelho ALRM; Núcleo de Pesquisa Biomédica, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil., Souza KST; Núcleo de Pesquisa Biomédica, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil., Rocha DA; Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil., de Castro PH; Núcleo de Pesquisa Biomédica, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil., Pylro VS; Department of Biology, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil. victor.pylro@ufla.br., Barçante JMP; Núcleo de Pesquisa Biomédica, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil. joziana@ufla.br.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology] [Braz J Microbiol] 2024 Mar; Vol. 55 (1), pp. 441-445. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Nov 24.
DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01185-x
Abstrakt: Environmental surface surveillance is a valuable tool for detecting and controlling infectious diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns have been raised regarding the potential for indirect transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via contaminated surfaces. However, few studies have evaluated environmental contamination in non-clinical settings during outbreaks. We conducted a study in a school community during a major outbreak, collecting 35 surface samples from high-traffic areas and testing them for SARS-CoV-2 RNA using RT-qPCR. Our results showed that 31.4% of samples were positive, including high-touch surfaces such as drinking fountains and washbasins. These findings emphasize the importance of environmental monitoring to identify and address specific areas for attention, and implementing such strategies can help prevent the indirect transmission of COVID-19 in various settings.
(© 2023. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
Externí odkaz: