Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Human Coronavirus

PATHOGEN SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Human Coronavirus (excluding SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2)

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1, common cold, viral respiratory disease, viral gastroenteritis.

CHARACTERISTICS: Enveloped viruses 120- 160 nm in diameter, with a positive stranded, capped and polyadenylated RNA genome that is 27-32 kb in size^{Footnote 1} -^{Footnote 3}  .There are many coronaviruses which affect animals; however, currently, only five strains of coronavirus are known to infect humans, classified based on antigenic cross-reactivity: HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, and HCoV-HKU1^{Footnote 1} -^{Footnote 4} . HCoV-229E and HCoV-NL63 are more related to each other than to the other coronavirus, as they share 65% of their sequence identity ^{Footnote 5} .

SECTION II - HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

PATHOGENICITY/TOXICITY: HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 cause the common cold, a self-limiting upper respiratory tract infection. Infection can lead to a number of illnesses such as bronchitis, gastroenteritis, progressive demyelinating encephalitis, diarrhea, peritonitis, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing, sore throat and cough ^{Footnote 1}, ^{Footnote 5}. They can cause more severe lower respiratory tract infection, including pneumonia in infants, elderly and immunocompromised individuals ^{Footnote 1}-^{Footnote 3}. HCoV-229E is a common agent if coryza, whereas HCoV-OC43 is generally characterized by sore throats ^{Footnote 3} . HCoV-NL63 causes laryngotracheitis (croup) and nonfatal upper and lower respiratory tract infections in children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals ^{Footnote 1}, ^{Footnote 3}. HCoV-HKU1 causes mild upper respiratory diseases, the common cold, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia, with symptoms such as rhinorrhoea, fever, cough, febrile seizure, and wheezing ^{Footnote 3}, ^{Footnote 6}. More severe illness may occur in children, adults with underlying disease, the elderly, and may be associated with gastrointestinal illness ^{(Footnote 1)}.

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Coronaviruses have a worldwide distribution, causing 10-15% of common cold cases. Infections show a seasonal pattern with most cases occurring in the winter months ^{Footnote 7}, ^{Footnote 8}.

HOST RANGE: Humans.

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Infection can be transmitted through inhalation of respiratory droplet aerosols; virus can also be spread via the fecal-oral route, and through fomites^{Footnote 1} , ^{Footnote 2} .

INCUBATION PERIOD: 2-4 days ^{Footnote 4}, ^{Footnote 8}.

COMMUNICABILITY: Human-to-human transmission is possible during the presence infectious droplets, which can cause infection via inhalation, or through contaminated surfaces ^{Footnote 8} .

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans ^{Footnote 4} .

ZOONOSIS: None.

VECTORS: None.

SECTION IV – STABILITY AND VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Currently, there are no specific antiviral drugs for coronavirus available ^{Footnote 4}.

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 0.1% sodium hypochlorite, 0.1% organochlorine, 10% iodophore, 70% ethanol and 2% glutaraldehyde. Resistant to 0.04% quaternary ammonium compound and phenolics ^{Footnote 9} .

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Inactivation by UV light can be done by exposure to 1200 µJ/cm² for 30 minutes ^{Footnote 10}, ^{Footnote 11}.

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Survives up to six days in aqueous mediums and up to 3 hours on dry inanimate surfaces ^{Footnote 12} .

SECTION V – FIRST AID / MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Coronavirus infections are not usually diagnosed due to the mild, self-limited nature of the disease. Research laboratories have used isolation methods, electron microscopy, serology and PCR-based assays to diagnosis coronavirus infections for surveillance studies ^{Footnote 4}.

Note: All diagnostic methods are not necessarily available in all countries.

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: No specific treatment available, treatment should be supportive ^{Footnote 4}, ^{Footnote 7}.

IMMUNIZATION: None.

PROPHYLAXIS: None.

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: No infections have been reported to date. However, this may be an under-estimate of the number of incidences as symptoms are nonspecific and self-limiting.

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Specimens from the upper or lower respiratory tract, stools ^{Footnote 2}.

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Aerosols, contact with stools ^{Footnote 2}.

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None.

SECTION VII – EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

RISK GROUP CLASSIFICATION: Risk group 2 ^{Footnote 13}. This risk group applies to the species as a whole, and may not apply to every strain within the species.

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Containment Level 2 facilities, equipment, and operational practices for work involving infectious or potentially infectious materials, animals, or cultures ^{Footnote 14}. These containment requirements apply to the species as a whole, and may not apply to each strain within the species.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Lab coat. Gloves when direct skin contact with infected materials or animals is unavoidable. Eye protection must be used where there is a known or potential risk of exposure to splashes ^{Footnote 14}.

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: All procedures that may produce aerosols, or involve high concentrations or large volumes should be conducted in a biological safety cabinet (BSC). The use of needles, syringes, and other sharp objects should be strictly limited. Additional precautions should be considered with work involving animals or large scale activities ^{Footnote 14}.

SECTION VIII – HANDLING AND STORAGE

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle and, wearing protective clothing, gently cover spill with paper towels and apply an appropriate disinfectant, starting at the perimeter and working towards the centre. Allow sufficient contact time before clean up ^{Footnote 14}.

DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes that contain or have come in contact with the infectious organism before disposing by autoclave, chemical disinfection, gamma irradiation, or incineration.^{Footnote 14}.

STORAGE: The infectious agent should be stored in leak-proof containers that are appropriately labelled ^{Footnote 14}.

SECTION IX – REGULATORY AND OTHER INFORMATION

REGULATORY INFORMATION: The import, transport, and use of pathogens in Canada is regulated under many regulatory bodies, including the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada, and Transport Canada. Users are responsible for ensuring they are compliant with all relevant acts, regulations, guidelines, and standards.

UPDATED: November, 2010

PREPARED BY: Pathogen Regulation Directorate, Public Health Agency of Canada.

Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Pathogen Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.

Copyright ©
Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010
Canada