Routine Decontamination of Surfaces Relevant to Working Dogs: Neutralization of Superficial Coronavirus Contamination

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Working dogs operate in environments with potential biological hazards.
• Effective surface decontamination is crucial for animal and handler safety.
• Previous studies demonstrated reduced contamination on dog-related surfaces using wiping protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a surface decontamination protocol against bovine coronavirus, a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2.
• To assess the impact of surface characteristics on decontamination efficacy.
• To identify optimal decontamination agents for working dog equipment.

Main Methods:

• A standardized wiping protocol was applied to various surfaces contaminated with bovine coronavirus.
• Surface characteristics (porosity, texture) were analyzed for their effect on viral recovery.
• The efficacy of 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and 0.5% chlorhexidine was quantified.

Main Results:

• Surface properties significantly influenced the removal of viable virus.
• IPA and chlorhexidine achieved >3 log reduction on plastic and nylon materials.
• Significant viral reduction was observed on rubber, tennis balls, leather, and Velcro, though less effectively on porous/textured items.

Conclusions:

• A simple wiping protocol is effective for neutralizing viruses on common working dog surfaces.
• Porous and textured materials pose challenges for decontamination and may require alternative strategies.
• Further research is needed to develop effective protocols for difficult-to-decontaminate surfaces.