To investigate the efficacy of manual washing techniques in inactivating the Mpox virus (MPXV) on textiles.
Key Findings:
Sodium hypochlorite, liquid sanitizer, and two powdered laundry detergents dissolved in room temperature water completely inactivated MPXV (>3 log10 reduction or >99.9% inactivation) on both cotton and polyester fabrics.
Washing at 70°C alone also achieved complete inactivation of MPXV.
The risk of transmission after laundering contaminated fabrics is expected to be low due to effective inactivation processes.
Interpretation:
The study supports WHO guidance on MPXV inactivation, indicating that proper laundering techniques can significantly reduce the viral load on fabrics, thereby preventing the spread of mpox.
Limitations:
The study was conducted under controlled conditions and may not fully replicate real-world laundering scenarios.
Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of washing techniques in diverse environmental conditions.
Conclusion:
Effective laundering practices can significantly mitigate the risk of mpox transmission via contaminated textiles, supporting public health measures in both healthcare and household settings.
