In the Baltic sea lurk the Vibrios in the outdoor pool, the Norovirus is on the loose, and blue-green algae, as well as intestinal bacteria can also muddy the water fun in a sustainable way. Pathogens on and in bathing waters. You can catch the splash in the Coronavirus?
The good news: so Far, there is not a single known case where people have been infected by water with Sars-CoV-2. This is true not only for swimming pools but also for drinking water and there is currently no evidence that the Virus is in the water at all contagious. However, have dealt so far only a few studies with the theme, so you can’t exclude a Transfer when bathing with. It is at least theoretically possible to infect the pool water.
coronaviruses are resistant enough to remain in water for a few days detectable, as several studies showed. You do not need to get the water directly into the nose, to infect with dissolved respiratory pathogens: On the surface of waters enriched aerosols with micro-organisms.
viruses in water, preferably together with organic matter such as bacteria, skin flakes and feces in approximately a half a Millimeter thick boundary layer on the surface. The continuous movement of water atomized this “surface micro-layer” again and again to fine, with microorganisms enriched droplets that you inhale when taking a bath.
noroviruses spread significantly better in the bathe
coronaviruses include, but not agents in those disease which are easily transmitted through water such as, for example, Norovirus, Hepatitis or adenovirus. These pathogens have a feature in common that distinguishes them from Sars-CoV-2, and other corona viruses, explains Regine Szewzyk, which is at the Federal environment Agency for micro-biological risks. “The classic on the wastewater-transmitted viruses are all enveloped and non-enveloped viruses survive in the environment much better.”
non-enveloped viruses, have molecules of a stable protein capsule often geometrically arranged, tightly interlocking Protein, while enveloped viruses such as Sars-CoV-2 have a very thin, two-liquid molecule layers of existing membrane, which is disturbed by foreign substances in the water easily. “The Coronavirus case has a very sensitive Lipid, and survived in the bathing water, maybe a few days, noroviruses, however, weeks, or months.”
Good for bathers: The stability of both types of viruses decreases with increasing temperature. For example, longer than three months in tap water remained in a 2008 study of corona virus in four degrees stable, at 23 degrees they disappeared within twelve days nearly completely. Chemically enveloped viruses are more sensitive, particularly to oxidizing agents. Including chlorine and ozone, with those in Germany, swimming pool water is treated.
Of such a treated bath water for example in swimming pools is therefore definitely no risk of infection. However, as in the case of ponds and lakes? Not least of all, organic suspended to make particles of natural waters, many viruses are more stable. Also here are more arguments in addition to the lower stability of the Virus against a great danger by the Coronavirus.
coughing and Sneezing transported hardly doubt viruses in the water
professionals like Szewzyk, that enough corona can get viruses into the bath water, a contagion to represent risk. A cough is simply too efficient method, large quantities of virus in a body of water involved. Many lakes, typical pathogens are spread, therefore, via faeces, because of which a lot more virus into the environment. With sewage polluted waste water is also a possibility, such as the new Coronavirus in bathing water can get, says Regine Szewzyk. “In this way, high concentrations of viruses in the bathing water occur, we will keep but is out of the question.”
In the case of Sars-CoV-2 speak also, most of the evidence against Transmission by digestion products. It is true that experts, and found the RNA in the stool of the Infected, but not infectious virus. In the process of sewage treatment, so the treated wastewater, has not been found, according to Szewzyk so far, once RNA. “In addition, bathing waters are protected against fecal contamination.”
Moreover, with the virus spreading in such a way, in addition to the stable protein capsule, a further special adaptation to this mode of Transmission. “We know of viruses such as the norovirus, which is typically about fecal matter to be transferred, that at the very low concentrations for infection be sufficient.” You go from about one to ten infectious virus particles.
In the case of Sars-CoV-2, however, is not yet known how many viruses you have to take for an infection; it would, however, seem to be quite a lot. This not only speaks, the Virus spreads best when the virus-containing Aerosol accumulates over a longer period of time in a confined space – but also the likely low significance of contaminated surfaces.
Same distance rules as the country
So is also unlikely to be bathing on the throat and the nose to give enough virus particles for a direct contagion into the water. “The dilution in the water is counteracted by a contagion,” says Szewzyk. Therefore, is currently not known whether a Transfer to other bathers this way is even possible. “Theoretically, one can imagine, however, cases in which one is exposed in this way, high virus concentrations.” Therefore, the Federal environment Agency during the bathing recommend rules to the same distance as on Land.
Not only in comparison with other, easier to over-water, widespread disease, infection with Sars-Cov-2 is relatively unlikely, but also in terms of risk of Infection via aerosols pathogens. This is because, when on warm days, many people are pushing at the water, at the same time increases the risk of Contagion to the already well-known Because of.
Because a mouth-nose protection in the water is rather impractical, care should be taken when bathing to Hygiene and disinfection, warn experts. In particular, toys and Badegerät such as snorkeling, pool noodles and the like should not be between children shared. Also helpful is distance and in the Ellen coughing and sneezing flexion, the chlorination in swimming pools irritates the mucous membranes in addition. However, bathing lakes and outdoor swimming pools are the better Alternative: Sars-CoV-2 common rooms, especially in the interior. Mouth-nose-mask or a protective visor: doctor explains, which is the protection more effective is declared a PCP, the mouth-nose-mask or a protective visor: doctor, what protection is effective
*The contribution of “aerosols at the surface: Thus, the Sars-CoV 2-danger in the swimming pool or the lake” is published by Spektrum.de. Contact with the executives here.
