ABSTRACT - World Health Organization says that newlaboratory findings support theory that SARS virus can survive up to four days on contaminated household surfaces but that disinfectants like bleach are effective weapons to kill it; findings are important because doctors have determined that people infected with virus can excrete it in large amounts in their stool and urine, raising distinct possibility that less than vigorous hygiene--particularly lack of hand-washing--can lead to spread on surfaces in home and elsewhere (M) New laboratory findings support the theory that the SARS virus can survive up to four days on contaminated household surfaces like toilets but that disinfectants like bleach are effective weapons to kill it, the World Health Organization said yesterday.

The findings are important because doctors have determined that people infected with the virus can excrete it in large amounts in their stool and urine, raising the distinct possibility that less than vigorous hygiene -- particularly a lack of hand-washing -- can lead to its spread on surfaces in the home and elsewhere.
 

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