MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Respiratory syncytial virus

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: RSV, Pneumovirus

CHARACTERISTICS: Paramxyoviridae; pleomorphic, 150-300 nm diameter; enveloped virions; single stranded linear RNA; non-segmented negative sense genome; lack hemagglutinin and neuraminidase activities

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Most common cause of common cold-like lower respiratory tract illness in infants and young children; causes common colds in adults, febrile bronchitis in infants and older children, pneumonia in infants, and bronchiolitis in very young babies; reinfection common and results in mild upper respiratory infection; can cause severe illness in the elderly and immunocompromised

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; most common cause of viral pneumonia in children < 5 years; outbreaks peak in February and March in the northern hemisphere; tropical area peaks coincide with rainy seasons

HOST RANGE: Humans

INFECTIOUS DOSE: >100-640 infectious organisms when administered intranasally

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Respiratory secretions; inhalation of large droplets ; fomites; direct oral contact; indirectly by hands, handkerchiefs and eating utensils or other articles freshly soiled by respiratory discharges

INCUBATION PERIOD: 4 to 5 days

COMMUNICABILITY: Viral shedding may persist for several weeks after symptoms subside

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Ribavirin is clinically beneficial when delivered as a small aerosol spray

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to many disinfectants; 1% sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, 2% glutaraldehyde, detergents

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to heating above 55° C, freezing and thawing; rapidly inactivated at pH < 5

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Virus contaminated nasal secretions remain viable up to 8 hours at room temperature on paper towels, cloths, rubber gloves and surfaces

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Supportive therapy; Administer combination therapy of aerosolized ribavirin and immunoglobulin/monoclonal antibodies in high risk groups

IMMUNIZATION: None available

PROPHYLAXIS: Human immunoglobulin and human monoclonal antibodies available

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: One case was reported up to 1978; many cases probably occur but go unreported due to frequency of infection in the population and difficulty in tracing to laboratory cause

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Nasopharyngeal swab, nasal washes, and secretions

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Droplet or aerosol exposure of mucous membranes

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment facilities for activities involving infectious body tissues and fluids; cultures

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when skin contact with infectious materials is unavoidable

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None

SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing gently cover spill with absorbent paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite starting at the perimeter and working towards the centre; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up

DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration

STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labeled

SECTION IX - MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Date prepared: January, 2001

Prepared by: Office of Laboratory Security, PHAC

Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Material 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 ©
Health Canada, 2001

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