La EFSA sigue de cerca la situación con respecto al brote de la enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19) que está afectando a un gran número de países en todo el mundo. Actualmente no hay evidencia de que los alimentos sean una fuente probable o vía de transmisión del virus.
Los científicos y las autoridades de todo el mundo están monitoreando la propagación del virus y no ha habido informes de transmisión a través de los alimentos. Por esta razón, EFSA no está involucrada actualmente en la respuesta a los brotes de COVID-19. Sin embargo, estamos monitoreando la literatura científica para obtener información nueva y relevante.
Con respecto a la inocuidad de los alimentos, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) ha emitido recomendaciones de precaución que incluyen consejos sobre el seguimiento de buenas prácticas de higiene durante la manipulación y preparación de alimentos, como lavarse las manos, cocinar la carne a fondo y evitar la posible contaminación cruzada entre alimentos cocinados y no cocinados
FSA is closely monitoring the situation regarding the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that is affecting a large number of countries across the globe. There is currently no evidence that food is a likely source or route of transmission of the virus.
EFSAs chief scientist, Marta Hugas, said: Experiences from previous outbreaks of related coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), show that transmission through food consumption did not occur. At the moment, there is no evidence to suggest that coronavirus is any different in this respect.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has said that while animals in China were the likely source of the initial infection, the virus is spreading from person to person mainly?via?respiratory droplets that people sneeze, cough, or exhale. More information on coronavirus and food can be found in this FAQ by the BfR, Germanys risk assessment body.
Scientists and authorities across the world are monitoring the spread of the virus and there have not been any reports of transmission through food. For this reason, EFSA is not currently involved in the response to the COVID-19 outbreaks. However, we are monitoring the scientific literature for new and relevant information.
Regarding food safety, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued precautionary recommendations including advice on following good hygiene practices during food handling and preparation, such as washing hands, cooking meat thoroughly and avoiding potential cross-contamination between cooked and uncooked foods. More information can be found on the WHO website.
