Smallpox Outbreak Control Activities and Strategies

Decontamination (22:V1:70-71)

The spaces where smallpox patients have lived or been cared for may require decontamination. Poxviruses are rapidly inactivated by exposure to ultraviolet light, and chemical disinfectants such as bleach or Lysol® (19:4) Good air flow and exhaust to the outside will help to dilute the concentration of any airborne particles and exposes the virus to UV light. Contaminated surfaces can be cleaned with fresh, diluted bleach solution or other hospital disinfectants that inactivate virus.

The photo on the right was taken at Fort Detrick, MD. It shows Air Force medical specialists from U.S. bases testing the Small Shelter Patient Decontamination System.

Reusable medical instruments or surfaces contaminated with blood or pus should be washed to remove the material in addition to disinfection. Laundry and contaminated personal protective clothing should be placed in appropriate containers upon leaving an isolation area. For reusable laundry, dissolving laundry bags that can be placed in the wash without removing the laundry are preferable. Laundry should not be sorted before washing, should be placed directly in the wash, then sorted.

Surfaces in homes where smallpox cases were present should be wiped down. Contaminated clothing can be washed in hot water with bleach added if possible. 

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