Frontiers in Microbiology (May 2021)

Stability and Infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 and Viral RNA in Water, Commercial Beverages, and Bodily Fluids

  • Mizuki Fukuta,
  • Mizuki Fukuta,
  • Zhan Qiu Mao,
  • Zhan Qiu Mao,
  • Kouichi Morita,
  • Kouichi Morita,
  • Kouichi Morita,
  • Meng Ling Moi,
  • Meng Ling Moi,
  • Meng Ling Moi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.667956
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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The stability and infectivity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in liquid samples are of great concern to virus transmission via common beverages and sewage water. Here, we investigated the stability of SARS-CoV-2 in 32 liquids including common beverages, bodily fluids, and commonly used viral transport media. Our results showed that the infectious virus could be recovered up to 77-days from common beverages including milk and water. Viral RNA could be detected at high levels in all samples up to 28-days, indicating that while viral RNA demonstrates higher stability than infectivity, viral RNA levels do not reflect the infectious capability of SARS-CoV-2. These results indicate that SARS-CoV-2 is highly stable in optimal conditions and a sufficient control measure is needed in reducing the risk of exposure and controlling and preventing future outbreaks.

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