Inactivation of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Aerosols by Means of Selected Radiated Microwaves

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the predominant etiological agent responsible for lower respiratory tract infections in young children. Recurrent infections throughout an individual's lifespan can lead to significant morbidity, particularly in the elderly and in adults with underlying cardiac, pulmonary, or immunocompromised conditions. The trends in hospitalization rates and risk factors for severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than two years old are significantly influenced by RSV. Consequently, it is imperative to develop technologies that can sanitize environments from this pathogen while being compatible with human presence. Structure Resonant Energy Transfer (SRET) is the scientific principle underlying a sanitation technology that has demonstrated efficacy against several enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A viruses (H1N1, H5N1, and H1N2). SRET employs specific frequencies of electromagnetic waves to effectively disrupt the structural integrity of viral envelopes through dipole coupling. This disruption leads to the inactivation of the virus, rendering it non-infectious. The objective of this study is to analyse the effect of a specific SRET non-thermal sanitation method on RSV. The sanitation test was conducted in aerosol form within a BSL-3 laboratory, exploring the X band frequency range from 8 to 16 GHz. An optimal sub-band was identified, giving an inactivation efficiency up to 99.5%, and an optimal protocol was subsequently implemented. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that the microwave non-thermal sanitation method is effective against RSV. The sanitation process yielded significant results, confirming its potential as a viable approach for environmental decontamination.