It has appeared on the news that cases of Monkeypox are presenting in multiple countries outside western and central Africa – the normal home of the virus. Monkeypox is regarded as a relatively mild, albeit unpleasant, disease in humans. Typically, a patient experiences flu-like symptoms, but Monkeypox virus triggers swollen lymph nodes and forms unsightly vesicles, usually on the hands, feet and face. The majority of people recover from Monkeypox in a few weeks without treatment.

People can contract the virus through contaminated bodily fluids, notably saliva. That means human to human transmission requires close contact between people. Activities that introduce the virus directly to the mouth (e.g., sharing eating and drinking utensils with an infected person) presents a heightened risk of human-to-human transmission.

The Cleanline range of Ultra Disinfectants are called ‘antiviral’ because they have all been shown to possess the ability to efficiently inactivate (kill) a virus by the appropriate laboratory testing. The virus used by the lab to demonstrate (and measure) the antiviral activity of Cleanline products is called Vaccinia virus. Any other virus that is sufficiently like the structure of Vaccinia virus will be killed by these products.

Monkeypox virus (as a pox virus) falls into that wider group of Vaccinia-like viruses. Therefore, these products can be highly effective against Monkeypox viruses that are contaminating surfaces and other fomites. This Monkeypox antiviral conclusion is supported by the Standard Test Method conditions and results (see Ref 3: BS EN 14476:2013 + A2:2019, Annex A).

Bunzl Catering Supplies has created a factsheet on Monkeypox that also details its range of Cleanline Ultra disinfectants that are effective on the virus.  For more information please contact us – or click here to view the PDF.