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
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
RESERVOIR: Humans
ZOONOSIS: None
VECTORS: None
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
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
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
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
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
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