ABSTRACT
Behavioral and medical control measures have not been effective in containing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in large part due to the unwillingness of populations to adhere to "best practices". Ultraviolet light with wavelengths of between 200 and 280 nm (UV-C) and, in particular, germicidal ultraviolet light, which refers to wavelengths around 254 nm, have the potential to unobtrusively reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in enclosed spaces. We investigated the effectiveness of a strategy using UV-C light to prevent airborne transmission of the virus in a hamster model. Treatment of environmental air with 254 nm UV-C light prevented transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between individuals in a model using highly susceptible Syrian golden hamsters. The prevention of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a natural system by treating elements of the surrounding environment is one more weapon in the arsenal to combat COVID. The results presented indicate that coupling mitigation strategies utilizing UV-C light, along with current methods to reduce transmission risk, have the potential to allow a return to normal indoor activities.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Animals , Cricetinae , Humans , Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets , Ultraviolet RaysABSTRACT
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has devastated global public health systems and economies, with over 52 million people infected, millions of jobs and businesses lost, and more than 1 million deaths recorded to date. Contact with surfaces contaminated with droplets generated by infected persons through exhaling, talking, coughing and sneezing is a major driver of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, with the virus being able to survive on surfaces for extended periods of time. To interrupt these chains of transmission, there is an urgent need for devices that can be deployed to inactivate the virus on both recently and existing contaminated surfaces. Here, we describe the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in both wet and dry format using radiation generated by a commercially available Signify ultraviolet (UV)-C light source at 254 nm. We show that for contaminated surfaces, only seconds of exposure is required for complete inactivation, allowing for easy implementation in decontamination workflows.