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Review
. 2023 Jan;95(1):e28103.
doi: 10.1002/jmv.28103. Epub 2022 Sep 7.

Stability and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment

Yansheng Geng  1 , Youchun Wang  2
Affiliations
Review

Stability and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment

Yansheng Geng et al. J Med Virol. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing the ongoing global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, is believed to be transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets and aerosols. However, reports are increasing regarding the contamination of environmental surfaces, shared objects, and cold-chain foods with SARS-CoV-2 RNA and the possibility of environmental fomite transmission of the virus raises much concern and debate. This study summarizes the current knowledge regarding potential mechanisms of environmental transmission of SARS-CoV-2, including the prevalence of surface contamination in various settings, the viability and stability of the virus on surfaces or fomites, as well as environmental factors affecting virus viability and survival such as temperature and relative humidity. Instances of fomite transmission, including cold-chain food transmission, and the importance of fomite transmission in epidemics, are discussed. The knowledge gaps regarding fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 are also briefly analyzed.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; cold-chain transmission; environmental stability; fomite transmission; surface contamination; survivability.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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