People in many countries are contracting monkeypox, even though they have not traveled to any regions where the virus is mainly circulating. The World Health Organization (WHO) therefore classifies monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern.
A research team from the virology departments of Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, and the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany, has investigated whether the virus can be inactivated by two disinfectants recommended by the WHO. They found that both disinfectants efficiently inactivate the virus during a 30 second application. The researchers published their findings in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases on November 17, 2022.
Alcohol-based disinfectants are effective against enveloped viruses
Pox viruses can be transmitted not only through direct contact with body fluids, but also via contaminated hands. “To prevent the spread of monkeypox, good hand hygiene is therefore essential,” says lead author Dr. Toni Meister.
To test the effectiveness of the disinfectants recommended by the WHO, the researchers brought the viruses into contact with one of the recommended WHO formulations as well as with their main components ethanol and isopropanol individually. After an exposure time of 30 seconds, they determined the number of virus particles that were still infectious compared to the baseline value. “We could show that both WHO disinfectants sufficiently inactivate the virus,” says Professor Eike Steinmann.
Since most commercial disinfectants also contain ethanol or isopropanol, they should also inactivate the virus. “The critical factor is the concentration of the ingredients, but you can usually read this on the packaging,” says Toni Meister. “Disinfectants containing 40 to 60% ethanol by volume or 40% isopropanol or more are effective against monkeypox.”
WHO-recommended disinfectant I consists of 80% ethanol by volume, 1.45% glycerol by volume and 0.125% hydrogen peroxide by volume. Disinfectant II consists of 75% by volume isopropanol, 1.45% by volume glycerol and 0.125% by volume hydrogen peroxide.
More information:
Efficient Inactivation of Monkeypox Virus by World Health Organization‒Recommended Hand Rub Formulations and Alcohols. Emerging Infectious Diseases. DOI: 10.3201/eid2901.221429
Journal information:
Emerging Infectious Diseases
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