By Newsdesk
Wednesday, December 10,
2014.
The spread of the Ebola
virus indicates hand washing, disinfectants and quarantine procedures alone are
insufficient to contain it. A scientist at the University of Southampton has
offered promising evidence that antimicrobial copper – engineering materials
with intrinsic hygiene benefits – could be a valuable addition to these
existing measures.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note the Ebola virus is
transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected
person, or through exposure to contaminated objects. Viruses similar to Ebola
are susceptible to a broad range of surface disinfectants, however testing
against Ebola itself cannot currently be conducted due to limited access to
laboratories with the required safety clearances. The CDC has therefore
instructed hospitals to use disinfectants with proven efficacy against
resistant viruses such as norovirus, adenovirus and poliovirus1.
Peer-reviewed and published data from laboratory studies conducted by Professor
Bill Keevil, Chair of Environmental Healthcare at the University of
Southampton, demonstrates copper’s ability to rapidly and completely inactivate
norovirus2, and recent work in Germany has explored its efficacy against
other viral biothreat agents3. Clinical trials conducted in the UK,
US and Chile have shown surfaces made from solid copper or copper alloys –
collectively termed ‘antimicrobial copper’ – continuously reduce surface
contamination by greater than 80%. These facts indicate a potential role for
antimicrobial copper touch surfaces in preventing the spread of Ebola.
‘Based on our research on viruses of similar genetic structure, we expect
copper surfaces to inactivate Ebola, and to help control the spread of this
virus if employed for publicly-used touch surfaces,’ explains Professor Keevil.
Antimicrobial copper surfaces have been described as a ‘no touch’ solution,
meaning that no special measures or human intervention are required for it to
continuously kill pathogens, in between regular cleans. Replacing
frequently-touched surfaces such as door handles, taps and light switches with
solid copper or copper alloy equivalents will provide a more hygienic
environment, with fewer bacteria and viruses available to spread infections.
With this in mind, the deployment of antimicrobial copper surfaces could offer
an additional method of controlling the current spread of Ebola.
Could Copper Prevent Spread of Ebola?
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