Effects of handwashing on Feline Calicivirus removal as Norovirus surrogate

Abstract

Viral gastroenteritis caused by Norovirus (NV) mainly appears during the winter season. In fact, outbreaks and patients with NV gastroenteritis are the major cause of community disease in the winter. Strategies to avoid gastroenteritis caused by NV are thus needed. No effective method for evaluating virus inactivation and removal exists for of NV, which cannot be cultured using cell-lines. Trials using Feline Calici Virus (FCV; a member of the calicivirus family) as a NV surrogate have been conducted by culturing FCV in CRFK cells. By washing one's hands, about 99% of the viruses can be removed, compared with simply rinsing one's hands in running water. Washing one's hands with alcohol, chlorhexidine, quaternary ammonium, or 3 other kinds of hand soaps (containing povidone-iodine, triclosan, and isopropylmethyl phenol, respectively), was also effective for removing viruses. These results suggest that washing one's hands may be an effective method of preventing viral gastroenteritis.