title: Differences in the Comparative Stability of Ebola Virus Makona-C05 and Yambuku-Mayinga in Blood.
abstract: In support of the response to the 2013-2016 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in Western Africa, we investigated the persistence of Ebola virus/H.sapiens-tc/GIN/2014/Makona-C05 (EBOV/Mak-C05) on non-porous surfaces that are representative of hospitals, airplanes, and personal protective equipment. We performed persistence studies in three clinically-relevant human fluid matrices (blood, simulated vomit, and feces), and at environments representative of in-flight airline passenger cabins, environmentally-controlled hospital rooms, and open-air Ebola treatment centers in Western Africa. We also compared the surface stability of EBOV/Mak-C05 to that of the prototype Ebola virus/H.sapiens-tc/COD/1976/Yambuku-Mayinga (EBOV/Yam-May), in a subset of these conditions. We show that on inert, non-porous surfaces, EBOV decay rates are matrix- and environment-dependent. Among the clinically-relevant matrices tested, EBOV persisted longest in dried human blood, had limited viability in dried simulated vomit, and did not persist in feces. EBOV/Mak-C05 and EBOV/Yam-May decay rates in dried matrices were not significantly different. However, during the drying process in human blood, EBOV/Yam-May showed significantly greater loss in viability than EBOV/Mak-C05 under environmental conditions relevant to the outbreak region, and to a lesser extent in conditions relevant to an environmentally-controlled hospital room. This factor may contribute to increased communicability of EBOV/Mak-C05 when surfaces contaminated with dried human blood are the vector and may partially explain the magnitude of the most recent outbreak, compared to prior outbreaks. These EBOV persistence data will improve public health efforts by informing risk assessments, structure remediation decisions, and response procedures for future EVD outbreaks.
authors: National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Frederick, MD, United States of America.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Schuit
authors: National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Frederick, MD, United States of America.
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Miller
authors: National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Frederick, MD, United States of America.
authors: Mary S
authors: MS
authors: Reddick-Elick
authors: National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Frederick, MD, United States of America.
authors: Carly B
authors: CB
authors: Wlazlowski
authors: National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Frederick, MD, United States of America.
authors: Claire Marie
authors: CM
authors: Filone
authors: Censeo Consulting Group, Washington, DC, United States of America.
authors: Artemas
authors: A
authors: Herzog
authors: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate, Washington, DC, United States of America.
authors: Leremy A
authors: LA
authors: Colf
authors: National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Frederick, MD, United States of America.
authors: Victoria
authors: V
authors: Wahl-Jensen
authors: National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Frederick, MD, United States of America.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Hevey
authors: National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Frederick, MD, United States of America.
authors: James W
authors: JW
authors: Noah
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood / Q000821:virology; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D000067393:Personal Protective Equipment / Q000821:virology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014709:Vero Cells / Q000821:virology; D014839:Vomiting / Q000821:virology