Stability of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus on Inanimate Surfaces and Implications for Infection Control

The Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) presents a serious public health challenge, with a case fatality rate reaching 40% among hospitalized patients and an estimated three billion people at risk globally. Recognized as the first virus on the World Health Organization's (WHO) Blueprint priority diseases list, CCHFV demands urgent and focused intervention. Despite extensive research on various viral agents, there remain significant gaps in understanding how long CCHFV can survive on different surfaces. This study aims to fill that gap by investigating the viability of CCHFV on commonly encountered materials: plastic, stainless steel, latex gloves, and aluminum foil. The virus's viability was tested under three temperature conditions (37°C, 20°C, and 5°C) over a 10-day period. Log-linear regression was employed to analyze the decay rates of the virus on each surface. The findings reveal that CCHFV can remain viable for prolonged periods. Specifically, the virus can survive up to 9 days on stainless steel at 5°C, 8 days on plastic, 6 days on latex gloves, and 5 days on aluminum foil. Importantly, the study highlighted that CCHFV's survival decreases at higher temperatures, with detectable levels persisting only until Day 9 at lower temperatures. This pioneering investigation into the surface viability of CCHFV provides critical data that can inform future research and public health interventions aimed at reducing the risks associated with CCHFV. By understanding the conditions that affect the virus's persistence, health authorities can better devise strategies to minimize transmission and protect public health. Overall, the study underscores the importance of continued research into the environmental stability of CCHFV, which is vital for managing outbreaks and enhancing preparedness against this significant viral threat.