Lonza Issues Guidance On Infection Control

As human infections with a novel coronavirus continue to be reported, particularly within Middle Eastern countries, Lonza is making information available about infection control.

Novel coronaviruses are a group of viruses that principally infect the gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tract of mammals and birds.  Human infection with coronaviruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and MERS-CoV raises global health concerns. The MERS-CoV strain was first identified in September 2012, and although human-to-human transmission was not initially deemed of significant risk by the World Health Organisation (WHO), there have since been confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission in Tunisia and France, according to Lonza.

In general, coronaviruses are enveloped viruses which are sensitive to a wide variety of chemical disinfectants. Novel strains, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV may cause severe disease and have a pandemic potential. However, due to a general susceptibility of coronaviruses to chemical disinfection, strategies are available to help prevent transmission and infection.

Basic and general hygiene procedures are recommended to reduce infection risk. A frequent and regular hand hygiene schedule is recommended by thorough washing or use of antimicrobial hand hygiene products, especially before and after food preparation, before eating, after toilet use and after handling animals or animal waste.  See World Health Organization instruction.

Appropriate cleaning and disinfection strategies are recommended to help control the spread of bacteria and viruses, such as the MERS coronavirus. Lonza’s Hygiene and Preservation business offers formulations for use as hard surface disinfectant cleaners and for hand hygiene. Multiple Lonzagard formulations have been tested against other coronavirus strains and have demonstrated full activity. These include Lonzagard HWS-256 germicidal detergent solution and Lonzagard® Disinfectant Wipes within the US.  Non-US Lonzagard formulations include Lonzagard DR-25aN disinfectant cleaner which meets the ‘virucidal’ definition as defined by an expert European working group.

More info: Lonza Biocides, www.lonzabiocides.com