by A recent study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases shed light on the stability and transmission risks of the Monkeypox (Mpox) virus in various settings, including healthcare facilities. The research aimed to investigate the efficacy of decontamination methods and understand the factors that contribute to Mpox transmission.
Monkeypox is a zoonotic illness that primarily spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids or intimate interactions, including sexual activity. The virus has been found in saliva, blood, skin, feces, urine, and semen, indicating multiple potential modes of transmission.
The study focused on the Mpox virus clade II MA001 strain, which was detected in a human from Massachusetts, United States, in May 2022. To assess its stability, the virus was tested on different surfaces, bodily fluids, and wastewater. The researchers also examined the effectiveness of chlorination-based decontamination methods.
Experiments were conducted under strict containment conditions using African green monkey cells and the MA001 strain with a concentration of 4.8 x 106 plaque-forming units per milliliter (PFU/mL). Wastewater samples were obtained from a municipal treatment plant in North Indiana and stored at -80°C.
The stability of the MA001 strain was tested on cotton, polypropylene, and stainless-steel surfaces in different temperature and humidity conditions. The virus was also spiked into various bodily fluids, including sperm, blood, saliva, serum, feces, and urine, to assess its stability in different matrices. In addition, the researchers examined the stability of the virus in wastewater and deionized water.
The results of the study showed a biphasic pattern of slow degradation followed by rapid degradation of the Mpox virus on surfaces. The rate of decay varied depending on the medium and temperature conditions. The virus demonstrated higher stability on polypropylene and stainless-steel surfaces compared to cotton, and its persistence was influenced by the protein content in bodily fluids.
The effectiveness of chlorination as a decontamination method was observed at higher doses, indicating that it may be effective in reducing viral contamination in wastewater. Moreover, the research suggested that testing for infectious Mpox virus in wastewater could complement existing surveillance methods based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
The study also revealed that the virus’s half-life varied in different bodily fluids and surfaces. For blood and semen, the half-lives of the Mpox virus were comparable in wet and dry stages, while in saliva, urine, and feces, the virus showed longer half-lives on wet surfaces compared to dry surfaces. The stability of the virus in serum decreased over time but still exhibited significant half-life values.
Overall, the findings highlight the importance of understanding the factors that contribute to Mpox virus transmission in healthcare settings. The virus’s stability on surfaces and in bodily fluids emphasizes the need for proper infection control measures to prevent nosocomial transmission. The discovery that the Mpox virus can persist in untreated wastewater for weeks raises concerns about the potential risk of infection among sanitation workers, peridomestic animals, and wildlife. Dilution and chemical disinfection were identified as effective methods to reduce these risks.
By gaining a better understanding of Mpox virus stability and transmission risks, healthcare facilities can implement targeted measures to mitigate the spread of the virus and protect patients and healthcare workers from infection. Further research in this area is warranted to develop evidence-based guidelines and strategies for Mpox virus containment and prevention.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
