A federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of
Health & Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. -
Washington, D.C. 20201 Interim Guidance on Environmental
Management of Pandemic Influenza Virus Influenza A and B viruses
can persist on both nonporous and porous environmental surfaces
for hours to days depending on a variety of human and
environmental factors. The secondary spread of infectious virus
from environmental reservoirs to susceptible persons is
accomplished primarily via hand transfer (i.e., hand contact
with contaminated surfaces and then touching mucous membranes of
the eyes, nose, and mouth). Proper handwashing or hand hygiene,
coupled with respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette is the
principal means of interrupting this transfer. Routine cleaning
and disinfection strategies used during influenza seasons could
be applied to the environmental management of pandemic
influenza, if such an event were to occur. Laundry and solid
waste management could be performed as usual. While