Basel, Switzerland, 29 August 2013 – As human infections with a novel coronavirus continue to be reported, particularly within Middle Eastern countries, Lonza is making information available about infection control.
Novel Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that principally infect the gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tract of mammals and birds. Human infection with coronaviruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and MERS-CoV raises global health concerns. The MERSCoV strain was first identified in September 2012, and although human-to-human transmission was not initially deemed of significant risk by the World Health Organisation (WHO), there have since been confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission in Tunisia and France.
In general, coronaviruses are enveloped viruses which are sensitive to a wide variety of chemical disinfectants. Novel strains, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV may cause severe disease and have a pandemic potential. However, due to a general susceptibility of coronaviruses to chemical disinfection, strategies are available to help prevent transmission and infection.
Basic and general hygiene procedures are recommended to reduce infection risk. A frequent and regular hand hygiene schedule is recommended by thorough washing or use of antimicrobial hand hygiene products, especially before and after food preparation, before eating, after toilet use and after handling animals or animal waste. See World Health Organization instruction.
Appropriate cleaning and disinfection strategies are recommended to help control the spread of bacteria and viruses, such as the MERS coronavirus. Lonza’s Hygiene and Preservation business offers formulations for use as hard surface disinfectant cleaners and for hand hygiene. Multiple Lonzagard® formulations have been tested against other coronavirus strains and have demonstrated full activity. These include Lonzagard® HWS-256 germicidal detergent solution and Lonzagard® Disinfectant Wipes within the US. Non-US Lonzagard® formulations include Lonzagard® DR-25aN disinfectant cleaner which meets the ‘virucidal’ definition as defined by an expert European working group.*
Please visit www.lonzabiocides.com for more information about the Lonzagard® formulations available in your region.
Use products safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
* This “Viruzidie” working group includes the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the German Association for the Control of Viral Diseases (DVV) and the Disinfectants Commission in the Association for Applied Hygiene within Germany (VAH)
About Lonza’s Hygiene & Preservation Business
Lonza’s Hygiene & Preservation business offers the broadest portfolio of registered actives, preservatives and formulations for use in disinfectants, sanitizers, and institutional and household cleaning products. These solutions are used to disinfect and sanitize schools, food processing plants, restaurants, grocery stores, hospitals, homes and more. More information can be found at www.lonzabiocides.com.
About Lonza
Lonza is one of the world’s leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries. Products and services span its customers’ needs from research to final product manufacture. It is the global leader in the production and support of chemical and biological active pharmaceutical ingredients. Biopharmaceuticals are one of the key growth drivers of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Lonza has strong capabilities in large and small molecules, peptides, amino acids and niche bioproducts which play an important role in the development of novel medicines and healthcare products. Lonza is also the world leader in microbial control providing innovative, chemistry-based and related solutions to destroy or to selectively inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms. Its activities encompass the areas of water treatment, personal care, health and hygiene, industrial preservation, materials protection, and wood treatment. In addition, Lonza is a leader in cell-based research, endotoxin detection and cell therapy manufacturing. Furthermore, the company is a leading provider of value chemical and biotech ingredients to the nutrition and agro markets.
Lonza is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and secondary listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”). Lonza is not subject to the SGX-ST’s continuing listing requirements. Lonza is subject to the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange, which do not have specific requirements equivalent to the listing rules of the SGX-ST in respect of interested person transactions, acquisition and realizations, and delisting. In 2012, the company had sales of CHF 3.925 billion. Further information can be found at www.lonza.com.
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