1. A realistic transfer method reveals low risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via contaminated euro coins and banknotes
- Author
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Daniel Todt, Toni Luise Meister, Barbora Tamele, John Howes, Dajana Paulmann, Britta Becker, Florian H. Brill, Mark Wind, Jack Schijven, Natalie Heinen, Volker Kinast, Baxolele Mhlekude, Christine Goffinet, Adalbert Krawczyk, Jörg Steinmann, Stephanie Pfaender, Yannick Brüggemann, and Eike Steinmann
- Subjects
Microbiology ,Virology ,Methodology in biological sciences ,Science - Abstract
Summary: The current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created a significant threat to global health. While respiratory aerosols or droplets are considered as the main route of human-to-human transmission, secretions expelled by infected individuals can also contaminate surfaces and objects, potentially creating the risk of fomite-based transmission. Consequently, frequently touched objects such as paper currency and coins have been suspected as potential transmission vehicle. To assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by banknotes and coins, we examined the stability of SARS-CoV-2 and bovine coronavirus, as surrogate with lower biosafety restrictions, on these different means of payment and developed a touch transfer method to examine transfer efficiency from contaminated surfaces to fingertips. Although we observed prolonged virus stability, our results indicate that transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via contaminated coins and banknotes is unlikely and requires high viral loads and a timely order of specific events.
- Published
- 2021
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