The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with international partners, including the World Health Organization, to actively monitor an outbreak caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in hundreds of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan, with additional cases being identified in a growing number of countries internationally. To date, there are no known reported cases in Canada and the risk remains low. We do know the first case in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, Human coronaviruses are most commonly spread from an infected individual to other people (person-to-person)*. Previously identified coronaviruses include SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Many of the characteristics of this novel coronavirus and how it may affect people are still unclear, but one of the ways in which human coronavirus is most commonly spread is by touching surfaces with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.

Common signs and symptoms of this illness include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, which can sometimes lead to death. The elderly and those with underlying health problems or compromised immune systems are considered most at risk. The Public Health Agency of Canada provides additional information on Symptoms and Diagnosis, Transmission, Prevention and Treatment on their website at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus.html.

To prevent the spread of the human coronavirus, common high-touch surfaces, like doorknobs, light switches, table tops, and phones should be disinfected using a registered product with coronavirus claims, such as PURELL® Professional Multi-Surface Sanitizer & Disinfectant with a contact time of 30 seconds¹.

The situation continues to evolve and is being monitored closely by public health authorities. We will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available.

*Reference: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus/prevention-risks.html

1. PURELL Professional Multi-Surface Sanitizer & Disinfectant (DIN 02469529) meets the requirement to make efficacy claims against the emerging viral pathogen COVID-19 with a kill time of 30 seconds as it meets the following criteria per Health Canada’s Safety and efficacy requirements for hard surface disinfectant drugs. Refer to https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/hc-sc/migration/hc-sc/dhp-mps/alt_formats/pdf/prodpharma/applic-demande/guide-ld/disinfect-desinfect/hard-surface-surfaces-dures-eng.pdf Guidance document - Safety and efficacy requirements for hard surface disinfectant drugs section 5.0 Claims against emerging viral pathogens policy. Broad spectrum virucide, supported by an efficacy claim against: Canine Parvovirus 30 second kill time and Poliovirus type 1 30 second kill time