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Ebola UV Susceptibility

Article · July 2015

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 Ebola UV Susceptibility

By Dr. Wladyslaw J. Kowalski, Aerobiological Engineering, LLC

Previously I had reported the UV susceptibility of Ebola virus based on genomic analysis and found it to
have a predicted UV rate constant of about k= 0.0991 m2/J, and a D90 value of between 23-50 J/m2
(Kowalski et al 2009).This was based on a single stage decay model.

The susceptibility of Ebola virus to UV radiation was evaluated clinically by Sagripanti and Lytle
(2011). Analysis of this data as a single stage curve yields a UV rate constant of 0.081 m2/J, which is
fairly close to the genomic prediction. Figure 1 below shows the results of the clinical testing.

100

10

1
Survival

0.1

0.01

0.001
0 20 40 60 80 100
UV Dose, J/m2

Figure 1: Graph of the clinical test results of the survival of Ebola (Zaire) under UV exposure. Based
on data from Sagripanti & Lytle (2011).

However, the data indicates a two stage decay curve. Based on this data, the first stage UV
rate constant was found to be approximately 0.36 m2/J and the second stage rate constant was found
to be approximately 0.058 m2/J. The resistant fraction, to which the second stage UV rate constant
applies, was found to be about 3.8%. The complete survival curve for Ebola can be modeled with a two
stage decay model and is represented by the following equation:

(1)

where D = UV Dose, J/m2

1
 Based on this complete two stage model in equation (1), the overall D90, D99, and D99.9 values
for Ebola can be computed from equation (1) as follows:

D90 = 7.1 J/m2

D99 = 25 J/m2

D99.9 = 63 J/m2

It is recommended that conservative values be used until more corroborating data becomes
available and therefore a dose of at least 25-60 J/m2 be used for disinfecting surfaces or air of Ebola
virus. The two stage decay model is plotted in Figure 2 following.

1
Stage 1

Stage 2
0.1
Total Survival

Data
0.01
Survival %

0.001

0.0001

0.00001

0.000001
0 20 40 60 80 100
UV Dose, J/m2

Figure 2: The two stage UV decay model for Ebola (Zaire) virus. Based on data from Sagripanti & Lytle
(2011). The red line (S) represents the total survival of the first stage (blue Stage 1) and the second
stage (green Stage 2) of the two stage curve. Clinical data is represented by the purple X’s.

The data presented by Sagripanti and Lytle offers good corroboration of the genomic model
predictions but adds information on the second stage. It is recommended that the two stage decay
model be used hereafter for predicting the effectiveness of sanitizing equipment. These dose rates
should apply equally well to other variants of Ebola like Reston.

2
 References

Kowalski, W. J., W. P. Bahnfleth, et al. (2000). “Mathematical modeling of UVGI for air disinfection.”
Quantitative Microbiology 2(3): 249-270.

Kowalski, W. J. (2009). Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook: UVGI for Air and Surface Disinfection.
New York, Springer.

Kowalski, W., W. Bahnfleth, et al. (2009). A Genomic Model for Predicting the Ultraviolet Susceptibility of
Bacteria and Viruses. IUVA, Amsterdam, International Ultraviolet Association.

Kowalski, W., W. Bahnfleth, et al. (2009). A Genomic Model for the Prediction of Ultraviolet Inactivation
Rate Constants for RNA and DNA Viruses. IUVA, Boston, MA, International Ultraviolet Association.

Kowalski, W., W. Bahnfleth, et al. (2009). “A Genomic Model for Predicting the Ultraviolet Susceptibility of
Viruses.” IUVA News 11(2): 15-28.

Kowalski, W.J. (2011). “Ultraviolet Genomic Modeling: Current Research and Applications.” 2011 May 23-
27, Paris, France, Proceedings, Ozone and Ultraviolet World Congress & Exhibition.

Sagripanti, J.-L. and C. D. Lytle (2011). “Sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation of Lassa, vaccinia, and Ebola
viruses dried on surfaces.” Arch Virol 156: 489-494.

CONTACT: drkowalski@aerobiologicalengineering.com

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