Influenza A viruses, including the 2009 H1N1 strain, are able to survive and maintain infectivity on surfaces for extended lengths of time. Influenza A viruses typically remain infectious for 12 - 48 hours on non-porous surfaces, for 8 - 12 hours on cloth or paper, and for 5 minutes on hands.
To reduce spread of the virus from person to person, it is important to discard contaminated items such as tissues and laboratory testing supplies and to wash hands frequently.
To eliminate viruses from contaminated surfaces, a number of disinfectants can be used, such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents, iodophores, and alcohols. Influenza viruses also can be rapidly inactivated with heat from 167 - 212°F.
