COVID-19 Outbreak and Impact on Food Safety

Abstract

We have observed the emergence of different infectious diseases during the last years posing a crucial threat topublic health. Coronaviruses have a broad range of clinical manifestations from typical flu-like disease and gastrointestinal symptoms to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Without any doubt, the novel coronavirusSARS-CoV-2 has spread rapidly from China all across the world and has been declared a pan-demic by the WorldHealth Organization (1). The disease called COVID-19 mainly affects the elderly, the immunocompromised peo ple and other clinical states. The virus is transmitted through small droplets between people in close proximityduring cough-ing, sneezing and talking. However, people may become infected also by touching contaminatedsurfaces and objects and then touch their mouth, face and eyes (2).