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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