According to ANSES, the virus could be transmitted through food when it comes to dishes prepared by a person with Covid-19.
- Contamination is possible through food handled or prepared by an infected person
- It is important to wash your hands before preparing a meal
- Cooking food kills the virus
Research on Covid-19 is advancing every day, but there are still areas of uncertainty. The National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) regularly issues opinions on the subject. She was recently approached on the issue of the transmission of the virus through food. “To date, there is no evidence that the consumption of contaminated food can lead to an infection through the digestive tract; however, the possibility of infection of the respiratory tract during chewing cannot be completely excluded”indicates the organism in a communicated.
Possible contamination of food by sick people
Infected people can transmit the virus when they prepare or handle food: either when they have no gloves or insufficiently cleaned hands, or by projecting droplets, coughing or sneezing. Experts advise sufferers not to cook or touch food intended for others.
During this period of epidemic, ANSES reiterates that it is essential to wash your hands scrupulously before cooking. If you cough, sneeze, or touch your face, you need to start over.
#COVID19 | The transmission of this virus is done much more by the hands than by a projection of saliva.
???? Against the #coronaviruswash your hands regularly.
???? Communication materials to download: https://t.co/6uLRdxMLzs pic.twitter.com/gYt3wCxIeH
– Ministry of Solidarity and Health (@MinSoliSante) March 4, 2020
In addition to hygiene measures, ANSES believes that cooking food would rid it of the virus: 4 minutes at 63°C are considered effective. On the other hand, freezing or refrigeration would not inactivate the virus according to current data.
What about races?
Contamination occurs mainly during contact between humans, in particular because of the droplets expelled, but several studies have looked at the lifespan of the virus on objects. The World Health Organization precise : “Several studies thus indicate that coronaviruses survive on surfaces for a period ranging from a few hours to several days. A duration that varies according to the different conditions such as the type of surface, the temperature, the humidity of the environment.” In the event of suspected contamination of a surface, it recommends disinfecting the surfaces with a suitable product.
The cleaning has been proven effective by a research team from Singapore. The latter studied the survival of the virus in hospital rooms. They conclude that traces of Covid-19 can remain in the rooms on the windows, the bed or even on a chair. Two cleanings with disinfectant products make it possible to overcome it.
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