Understanding the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

It is important to understand the virus we are dealing with and how to stay protected.

Update: 27th May 2020

A new study designed to increase the understanding of methods to combat the spread of COVID-19 has confirmed that ingredients in many of the leading hygiene brands, such as Dettol, are >99.9% effective* against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The findings were published in The American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC).

The study is the first published evaluation of the virucidal efficacy of personal care and surface cleaning and disinfection products against SARS-CoV-2 using internationally established standards. The laboratory tests examined active ingredients1 in Dettol Original Bar Soap, Antiseptic Liquid, Hand Sanitizer, and Hand Wash. The study found all microbicidal actives to be effective* at inactivating SARS-CoV-2, demonstrating a reduction of infectious virus within the tested 1 to 5 minutes*.

The researchers highlighted that the findings are significant given the practical importance of microbicides having efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in the home, community, and healthcare settings.

Dr Bruce Charlesworth, Chief Medical Officer at RB commented, “Our hope is that these findings will be useful to the infection prevention and control community in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a positive development and is fully consistent with our expectations. We will continue to develop scientific evidence to support our product portfolio to enable effective, science-led communication around hygiene.”

References

1. Microbicidal Actives with Virucidal Efficacy against SARS-CoV-2: M Khalid Ijaz et al. AJIC, American Journal of Infection Control (2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2020.05.015

*99.9% effective against COVID-19 virus as per 3rd Party Test Results & is applicable to following products: Dettol Original Bar Soap (OBS), Dettol Liquid Handwashes (LHW), Dettol Hand Sanitizer (HSN) & Dettol Anti-Septic Liquid (ASL). For effective results, please see usage instruction on pack. Contact time for ASL = 5 min. Contact time for OBS, LHW & HSN = 1 min. Dettol ASL is not a medicine & is only to be used externally as per instructions on pack.

Update: 11th Feb 2020

What is Coronavirus

According to the World Health Organization , Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

What is 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a new strain of coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. It’s important to note that how easily a virus spreads person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious, while other viruses are less so. Investigations are ongoing to better understand the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with 2019-nCoV, but there are indications that person-to-person spread is occurring.

Know the Coronavirus Symptoms

According to the CDC, patients with confirmed 2019-nCoV infections have reported mild to severe respiratory illnesses with symptoms including:

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

CDC believes at this time that symptoms of 2019-nCoV may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS viruses.

How Coronavirus is Spread

The CDC states that coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

the air by coughing and sneezing
close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
rarely, fecal contamination

Currently, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably 2019-nCoV is spreading between people. There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with 2019-nCoV and investigations are ongoing.

How to help protect from the Coronavirus

The best way to protect yourself is avoid being exposed to the virus. The CDC always recommends simple everyday preventative steps to help prevent the spread of respiratory virus, including:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
Stay home when you are sick
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash

As with all infectious diseases, good hygiene can play a role in controlling its spread. However, the most important public health recommendation is that people report to the nearest health facility if they develop any symptoms indicative of Coronavirus. Call the office of your health care provider before you go and tell them about your travel and your symptoms. They will give you instructions on how to get care without exposing other people to your illness.

Does Dettol kill the Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)?

Selected Dettol products have been tested already, and are >99.9% effective* against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The results of the study were published in the American Journal of Infection Control abstract, and support scientific understanding in breaking the chain of infection of COVID-19.

The study is the first published evaluation of the viricidal efficacy of personal care and surface cleaning and disinfection products against SARS-CoV-2 using internationally established standards. The laboratory tests examined active ingredients1 in Dettol Original Bar Soap, Antiseptic Liquid, Hand Sanitizer, and Hand Wash. The study found all microbicidal actives to be effective* at inactivating SARS-CoV-2, demonstrating a reduction of infectious virus within the tested 1 to 5 minutes.

The CDC and World Health Organisation specifically advises people to wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Please refer to the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ for additional information.

Please refer to the WHO website at https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus for additional information.

[i] https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

[ii] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

[iii] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html

[iv] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/transmission.html

[v] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html