Spraying disinfectant on the streets, as practised in some countries, does not eliminate the novel coronavirus and even poses health risk: WHO
New Delhi| As practised in some nations including India, spraying disinfectant on the streets does not kill the novel coronavirus and even poses a health risk, the World Health Organization warned on Saturday.
The WHO in a document on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces as part of the response to the virus, says spraying can be ineffective.
“Spraying or fumigation of outdoor spaces, such as streets or marketplaces, is… not advised to eliminate the novel coronavirus or other pathogens because disinfectant is inactivated by dirt and debris,” explains the World Health Organization.
“Even in the absence of organic matter, chemical spraying is unpromising to adequately cover all surfaces for the span of the required contact time needed to inactivate pathogens.”
Also Read: Coronavirus Cases In India Cross 90,000, After Highest 1-Day Jump
The World Health Organization said that roads and pavements are not regarded as “reservoirs of infection” of the novel coronavirus, adding that spraying disinfectants, even outside, can be “dangerous for human health”.
It also emphasises that spraying people with disinfectants is “not justified under any circumstances”.
The WHO said that if disinfectants are to be applied, this should be done with a cloth or wipe that has been soaked in disinfectant.
he total cases in India surged to 90,927 including over 34,000 cured/discharged or migrated and 2,872 deaths amid lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In the past 24 hours, 120 casualties were recorded. A staggering 4,987 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the last 24 hours, highest so far.
(Inputs from AFP)
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