If smallpox is discovered or released in a building, or if a person develops
symptoms in a building, how can that area be decontaminated?
The smallpox virus is fragile and in the event of an aerosol
release of smallpox, all viruses will be inactivated or dissipated within 1-2
days. Buildings exposed to the initial aerosol release of the virus do not need
to be decontaminated. By the time the first cases are identified, typically 2
weeks after the release, the virus in the building will be gone. Infected
patients, however, will be capable of spreading the virus and possibly
contaminating surfaces while they are sick. Therefore, standard hospital grade
disinfectants such as quaternary ammonias are effective in killing the virus on
surfaces should be used for disinfecting hospitalized patients’ rooms or other
contaminated surfaces. Although less desirable because it can damage equipment
and furniture, hypochlorite (bleach) is an acceptable alternative. In the
hospital setting, patients’ linens should be autoclaved or washed in hot water
with bleach added. Infectious waste should be placed in biohazard bags and
autoclaved before incineration.
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