Evaluation of the efficacy of disinfectants against Puumala hantavirus by real-time RT-PCR

Puumala virus, a hantavirus belonging to the Bunyaviridae family, causes a human disease known as nephropathia epidemica, a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. The implementation of effective decontamination procedures is critical in hantavirus research to minimize the risk of personnel exposure. This study investigated the efficacy of Clidox(®), Dettol(®), ethanol, Halamid-d(®), peracetic acid, sodium hypochloride and Virkon(®)S for inactivating Puumala virus. A real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to quantify Puumala virus before and after treatment with these products. Inactivation of Puumala virus was effective after 10 min with all products except ethanol. Inactivation with absolute ethanol was effective only after 30 min. Using the qRT-PCR method, this study has shown that the commercially available products Clidox(®), Halamid-d(®) and Virkon(®)S in particular represent a rapid and safe way to decontaminate surfaces with possible Puumala virus contamination. These products can be used in solutions of 1–2%, with contact times greater than 10 min, for inactivating effectively Puumala virus.