Inactivation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 by WHO-Recommended Hand Rub Formulations and Alcohols

Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Jul;26(7):1592-1595. doi: 10.3201/eid2607.200915. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Abstract

Infection control instructions call for use of alcohol-based hand rub solutions to inactivate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We determined the virucidal activity of World Health Organization-recommended hand rub formulations, at full strength and multiple dilutions, and of the active ingredients. All disinfectants demonstrated efficient virus inactivation.

Keywords: 2-propanol; 2019 novel coronavirus disease; COVID-19; SARS; SARS-CoV-2; World Health Organization; coronavirus; coronavirus disease; ethanol; hand sanitizer; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols / pharmacology*
  • Betacoronavirus / drug effects*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Disinfectants / pharmacology*
  • Hand Disinfection / methods*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Virus Inactivation*
  • World Health Organization

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Disinfectants