Aims: In a laboratory, disinfectants used to inactivate pathogens on contaminated surfaces and to prevent spread of diseases often have adverse side effects on personnel and the environment. It is, therefore, essential to find safer, fast-acting and yet effective disinfectants. The objective of this study was to evaluate an accelerated hydrogen peroxide â (AHP â )-based disinfectant against high consequence foreign animal disease pathogens such as foot-andmouth disease virus (FMDV) and swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV), as well as Senecavirus A (SVA), which causes similar lesions as FMDV and SVDV. Methods and Results: We tested varying dilutions and contact times of AHP against FMDV, SVDV and SVA by the standard US EPA and modified methods. AHP was effective against all three viruses, albeit at a higher concentration and double the manufacturer recommended contact time when testing wet films of SVDV. Conclusions: AHP is an effective disinfectant against FMDV, SVDV and SVA. Significance and Impact of the Study: AHP-based disinfectant can, therefore, be used in high containment laboratories working with FMDV, SVDV and related pathogens.

A quick genetic approach for the screening of influenza virus variants was developed in this laboratory (S. Zou, J. Clin. Microbiol. 35:2623–2627, 1997). It uses multiplex reverse transcription and multiplex PCR to amplify and differentiate the variable region of the hemagglutinin genes of different types and subtypes of influenza viruses. Variants within the same type or subtype are then identified by the heteroduplex mobility shift assay of the amplicons. The method was used to screen influenza virus isolates received from provincial laboratories during the 1996–1997 season and was able to identify new influenza B virus variants. Sequencing of the amplicons derived from the hemagglutinin gene of the identified variants and comparison with the vaccine strain B/Harbin/7/94 showed substitution rates of 2.26 to 2.55% at the nucleotide level and 4.26 to 4.68% at the amino acid level. The result further demonstrated that the approach provides a quick, sensitive, and reliable screening for influenza virus variants. It also suggested the necessity of close monitoring of influenza B virus isolates in the 1997–1998 season and critical evaluation of the reference strain for the type B influenza virus.