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Human Coronavirus
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HUMAN CORONAVIRUS
PATHOGEN SAFETY DATA SHEET -
INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Human Coronavirus (excluding SARS-Co-V)
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43,
HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1, common cold, viral respiratory disease,
viral gastroenteritis.
CHARACTERISTICS: Enveloped viruses 120- 160 nm in diameter,
with a positive stranded, capped and polyadenylated RNA genome
that is 27-32 kb in size (1-3).There are many coronaviruses which
affect animals; however, currently, only five strains of coronavirus
are known to infect humans, classified based on antigenic cross-
reactivity: HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, and HCoV-HKU1 (1-
4)
. HCoV-229E and HCoV-NL63 are more related to each other than
to the other coronavirus, as they share 65% of their sequence
identity (5).

SECTION II - HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

PATHOGENICITY/TOXICITY: HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 cause
the common cold, a self-limiting upper respiratory tract infection.
Infection can lead to a number of illnesses such as bronchitis,
gastroenteritis, progressive demyelinating encephalitis, diarrhea,
peritonitis, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing, sore throat and
cough (1, 5). They can cause more severe lower respiratory tract
infection, including pneumonia in infants, elderly and
immunocompromised individuals (1-3). HCoV-229E is a common
agent if coryza, whereas HCoV-OC43 is generally characterized by
sore throats (3). HCoV-NL63 causes laryngotracheitis (croup) and
nonfatal upper and lower respiratory tract infections in children,
elderly, and immunocompromised individuals (1, 3). HCoV-HKU1
causes mild upper respiratory diseases, the common cold,
bronchiolitis, and pneumonia, with symptoms such as rhinorrhoea,
fever, cough, febrile seizure, and wheezing (3, 6). More severe illness
may occur in children, adults with underlying disease, the elderly,
and may be associated with gastrointestinal illness (1).
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Coronaviruses have a worldwide distribution,
causing 10-15% of common cold cases. Infections show a seasonal
pattern with most cases occurring in the winter months (7, 8).
HOST RANGE: Humans.
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Infection can be transmitted through
inhalation of respiratory droplet aerosols; virus can also be spread
via the fecal-oral route, and through fomites (1,2).
(4, 8)
INCUBATION PERIOD: 2-4 days .
COMMUNICABILITY: Human-to-human transmission is possible
during the presence infectious droplets, which can cause infection
via inhalation, or through contaminated surfaces (8).

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

(4)
RESERVOIR: Humans .
ZOONOSIS: None.
VECTORS: None.

SECTION IV – STABILITY AND VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Currently, there are no specific antiviral
drugs for coronavirus available (4).
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 0.1%
sodium hypochlorite, 0.1% organochlorine, 10% iodophore, 70%
ethanol and 2% glutaraldehyde. Resistant to 0.04% quaternary
ammonium compound and phenolics (9).
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Inactivation by UV light can be done
by exposure to 1200 µJ/cm2 for 30 minutes (10, 11).
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Survives up to six days in aqueous
mediums and up to 3 hours on dry inanimate surfaces (12).

SECTION V – FIRST AID / MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Coronavirus infections are not usually diagnosed
due to the mild, self-limited nature of the disease. Research
laboratories have used isolation methods, electron microscopy,
serology and PCR-based assays to diagnosis coronavirus infections
for surveillance studies (4).
Note: All diagnostic methods are not necessarily available in all
countries.
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: No specific treatment available,
treatment should be supportive(4, 7).
IMMUNIZATION: None.
PROPHYLAXIS: None.

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: No infections have been
reported to date. However, this may be an under-estimate of the
number of incidences as symptoms are nonspecific and self-limiting.
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Specimens from the upper or lower
respiratory tract, stools (2).
(2)
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Aerosols, contact with stools .
SPECIAL HAZARDS: None.
SECTION VII – EXPOSURE CONTROLS /
PERSONAL PROTECTION
RISK GROUP CLASSIFICATION: Risk group 2 (13). This risk group
applies to the species as a whole, and may not apply to every strain
within the species.
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Containment Level 2 facilities,
equipment, and operational practices for work involving infectious or
potentially infectious materials, animals, or cultures (14). These
containment requirements apply to the species as a whole, and may
not apply to each strain within the species.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Lab coat. Gloves when direct skin
contact with infected materials or animals is unavoidable. Eye
protection must be used where there is a known or potential risk of
exposure to splashes (14).
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: All procedures that may produce aerosols,
or involve high concentrations or large volumes should be
conducted in a biological safety cabinet (BSC). The use of needles,
syringes, and other sharp objects should be strictly limited.
Additional precautions should be considered with work involving
animals or large scale activities (14).

SECTION VIII – HANDLING AND STORAGE

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle and, wearing protective clothing,
gently cover spill with paper towels and apply an appropriate
disinfectant, starting at the perimeter and working towards the
centre. Allow sufficient contact time before clean up (14).
DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes that contain or have come in
contact with the infectious organism before disposing by autoclave,
chemical disinfection, gamma irradiation, or incineration. (14).
STORAGE: The infectious agent should be stored in leak-proof
containers that are appropriately labelled (14).
SECTION IX – REGULATORY AND OTHER
INFORMATION
REGULATORY INFORMATION: The import, transport, and use of
pathogens in Canada is regulated under many regulatory bodies,
including the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada,
Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada, and
Transport Canada. Users are responsible for ensuring they are
compliant with all relevant acts, regulations, guidelines, and
standards.
UPDATED: November, 2010
PREPARED BY: Pathogen Regulation Directorate, Public Health
Agency of Canada.
Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained
in this Pathogen Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources
believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy,
sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the
use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and
this information may not be completely up to date.
Copyright ©
Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010
Canada