A group of scientists from the University of Southampton discovered a potentially effective way to prevent outbreaks of deadly respiratory illnesses like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and it's not a vaccine.

It's copper.

Diseases like SARS and MERS are caused by animal coronaviruses - those that jump from animal to human host. Researchers discovered that a human coronavirus (229E) closely related to these animal coronaviruses remained infectious for at least five days on surfaces like ceremic tiles, stainless steel, glass, Teflon and polyvinyl chloride or PVC. This means a person touching such infected surfaces can get the disease.

However, on a copper surface, the virus was completely destroyed within minutes.

"Transmission of infectious diseases via contaminated surfaces is far more important than was originally thought, and this includes viruses that cause respiratory infections," lead study author Sarah Warnes said in a press release. "This is especially important when the infectious dose is low and just a few virus particles can initiate an infection."

Warnes said when the human coronavirus was exposed to a copper surface, it was "permanently and rapidly deactivated." Its structure and genome was destroyed so that infection became impossible. Warner said the use of copper could help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases.

"With the lack of antiviral treatments, copper offers a measure that can help reduce the risk of these infections spreading," she added.

The study authors recommended the use of copper surfaces in common areas.

"Consequently, copper alloy surfaces could be employed in communal areas and at any mass gatherings to help reduce transmission of respiratory viruses from contaminated surfaces and protect the public health," the authors wrote.

The study was published in the Nov. 10 issue of the journal mBio.

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