Environmental persistence of vaccinia virus on materials.

Significance and Impact of the Study: Smallpox is caused by the variola virus, and ranks as one of the most serious diseases that could originate from a biological weapon. However, limited data exist on the persistence of variola and related viruses (such as vaccinia, an established surrogate) on materials that may act as fomites. Persistence data are also inadequate for these viruses under controlled environmental conditions. The results from this study will fill some of these data gaps and may aid those responsible for infection control to make informed decisions regarding the need for decontamination after the release of a biological agent such as variola.