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Geneva (pte040/05.05.2003/14:39) - The SARS virus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) can survive for one or two days in urine and stool at room temperature, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) http://www.who.int .
According to first WHO tests on the resistance of SARS, the coronavirus has an even higher life expectancy (up to four days) in stool from patients with diarrhoea due to the high amount of acid in their stool. Common disinfectants can, however, kill the virus within five minutes. The results are based on tests conducted with cell cultures.
Researchers from Hong Kong had already suspected that SARS could be transmitted through the sewage system. "We now have first data on how long the virus can survive," WHO expert Klaus Stohr told the Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com . The results are of key importance to cleaning and disinfecting strategies.
The new data from the SARS laboratory network also show that people can be infected after touching contaminated tables or door handles. According to Stohr it is still not clear how much of the virus is required to cause infection. (newsfox-special SARS)
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