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

Lukas Daniel Sandoval Flores1,2,3, Marylyn Martina Addo1,2,3, Eike Steinmann4,5

  • 1Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development, Centre for Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

Open Forum Infectious Diseases
|November 3, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Standard hygiene measures like oral rinses and hand sanitizers effectively inactivate the measles virus. This study confirms their crucial role in preventing measles transmission, especially in healthcare settings.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Measles remains a significant global health concern, with outbreaks linked to decreased vaccination rates and increased travel.
  • Nosocomial measles transmission is a risk in healthcare settings, necessitating effective infection control strategies.
  • Standard hygiene practices are vital for preventing measles spread.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of common oral rinses in inactivating the measles virus.
  • To assess the effectiveness of World Health Organization-recommended hand rub formulations against measles virus.
  • To determine the impact of surface disinfectants on measles virus viability.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative suspension assays were used to test virus inactivation by oral rinses and hand sanitizers.
  • European guidelines were followed for the suspension assay.
  • Efficacy of alcohol-, aldehyde-, and hydrogen peroxide-based surface disinfectants was evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Measles virus remained viable for several hours on stainless steel surfaces.
  • World Health Organization-recommended hand rubs and common oral rinses effectively inactivated the measles virus.
  • Tested surface disinfectants demonstrated efficacy in measles virus inactivation.

Conclusions:

  • Standard hygiene measures, including hand rubs and oral rinses, are effective against measles virus.
  • Consistent implementation of hygiene practices is critical for controlling measles transmission.
  • These findings reinforce the importance of established infection control protocols in healthcare.
Keywords:
World Health Organization–recommended hand rub formulations I and IImeasles virusstainless steelsurface disinfectionsurface stability

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