[Stability in drinking and surface water of nine virus species from different genera (author's transl)]

The stability of nine viruses, Aujeszky, Sindbis, Vesicular Stomatitis, Newcastle Disease, Vaccinia, FMD, HCC, Reo and Teschen virus in drinking and surface water was investigated comparatively at temperatures of 9 and 15 degrees C as well as the influence of water factors like seasonal difference in temperature, pH value, hardness and sort of water. The results can be summarized as follows: 1. At temperatures of 9 to 15 degrees C the majority of the viruses remained stabil in natural water for an astonishing long time. 2. Starting with virus concentration of about 10(4) infectious units per ml Teschen, Vaccinia, Reo, HCC and ND virus could mostly be demonstrated in water longer than 200 days and FMD, Aujeszky, Vesicular Stomatitis and Sindbis virus for 20 to 50 days on average at 9 degrees C. The stability of the viruses investigated decreased in water in the named turn. 3. Based on these results it can be assumed that under natural conditions with very low virus content of some particles the labile viruses such as Toga, Herpes, Rhabdo and pH labile Picorna remain infectious in water for some days. They should not have any importance as water contaminants. More resistant viruses like Paramyxo may keep infectious for weeks and very stabile viruses such as Entero, Reo, Adeno and Pox viruses several weeks to months. 4. As to factors temperature, pH, hardness and sort of water-within the naturally differing range-only the temperature and only in the case of less resistant viruses showed significant influence on the virus stability in water.