Stability of mpox virus on different commonly contacted surfaces

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Virology
• Infectious disease transmission

Background:

• Mpox (mpox virus, MPXV) continues to spread globally, with primary transmission routes including skin and mucosal contact.
• Transmission via fomites (contaminated objects or surfaces) has been reported, necessitating an understanding of MPXV stability on various materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the stability of the mpox virus (MPXV) on different commonly contacted surfaces.
• To assess the potential for fomite transmission of MPXV and inform prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

• MPXV was inoculated onto various surfaces including glass, stainless steel, plastic, wood, and cardboard.
• Viral stability and presence of MPXV nucleic acids were assessed over time through incubation and titration.

Main Results:

• MPXV exhibited surface-dependent stability: viable virus persisted on glass and stainless steel for up to 5 days, and on plastic for up to 3 days.
• No viable MPXV was detected on porous surfaces (wood, cardboard) after 1-2 days.
• MPXV nucleic acids were most stable on smooth surfaces (stainless steel, plastic, glass), correlating well with viral titers.

Conclusions:

• Fomite transmission of MPXV is plausible due to its stability on common smooth surfaces.
• MPXV stability is highly dependent on surface type, being more persistent on non-porous materials.
• Findings underscore the importance of environmental disinfection in mpox control and prevention strategies.