Highly Infectious Norovirus Is Easily Destroyed by Copper, Copper Alloys

Each year, over 267 million people end up suffering from acute gastroenteritis following their contracting a highly-infectious bug known to the scientific community as norovirus.

The good news is that, according to recent investigations, all one had to do is oder to keep themselves and their families safe from this bug is walk around carrying a copper pan.

Those who do not own such a pan and refuse to invest in one can settle for a teapot made from a copper alloy.

Joking aside, it looks like copper and copper alloys surfaces are fairly effective in terms of destroying said virus, the Alpha Galileo Foundation tells us.

According to scientists at the University of Southampton, alloys must contain at least 60% copper in order for them to be able to inactivate the bug.

The researchers say that, when placed on copper surfaces, norovirus does not take long to become inactive and therefore unable to infect people.

By contrast, when placed on stainless steel dry surfaces, the bug kept its ability to establish an infection, the same source details.

The scientists who worked on these experiments theorize that, should copper and copper alloy surfaces become part and parcel of public places, the number of yearly norovirus infections could be significantly reduced.

“The virus can remain infectious on solid surfaces and is also resistant to many cleaning solutions. That means it can spread to people who touch these surfaces, causing further infections and maintaining the cycle of infection. Copper surfaces, like door handles and taps, can disrupt the cycle and lower the risk of outbreaks,” study co-author Bill Keevil says.

“The use of antimicrobial surfaces containing copper in clinical and community environments, such as cruise ships and care facilities, could help to reduce the spread of this highly infectious and costly pathogen,” lead author Sarah Warnes also believes.

Interestingly enough, several previous studies have shown that copper and copper alloys can also help halt the spread of various bacteria and fungi.