Susceptibility of Measles Virus to World Health Organization-Recommended Hand Rubs, Oral Rinses, and Surface Disinfectants.

BACKGROUND

Measles continues to pose a major public health threat worldwide. Reoccurring outbreaks are fueled by declining vaccination rates, increased global travel, migration, and disruptions in immunization programs. Consequently, hygiene measures remain essential to prevent transmission, particularly in health care settings where nosocomial infections can occur.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

To address this, we tested virus inactivation by common oral rinses, as primary transmission occurs via aerosols and droplets, using a quantitative suspension assay in accordance with European guidelines. We further evaluated World Health Organization-recommended hand rub formulations based on ethanol and 2-propanol with the same assay. After confirming that measles virus remains viable for several hours on stainless steel, we assessed the efficacy of surface disinfectants, including alcohol-, aldehyde-, and hydrogen peroxide-based products.

CONCLUSIONS

The virus was effectively inactivated by World Health Organization-recommended hand rub formulations, oral rinses, and surface disinfectants, demonstrating the effectiveness of standard hygiene measures in infection control. These findings underscore the critical importance of consistent hygiene practices in limiting measles transmission.