According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States.  Each year, it causes an estimated 19 to 21 million illnesses and contributes to approximately 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations and 570 to 800 deaths. Simply touching surfaces or objects contaminated with Norovirus, then putting your fingers in your mouth, is a common source of infection.

In a study, bacteriophage MS-2 was used as a surrogate for the human Norovirus since it is similar in shape, size and resistance to disinfectants. The phage was placed on 1 to 2 commonly touched surfaces (door knob or table top) at the beginning of the day in office buildings, conference room and a health care facility. After various periods of time (2 to 8 hours) they sampled 60 to 100 fomites – surfaces capable of carrying infectious organisms (light switches, bed rails, table tops, countertops, push buttons, coffee pots handles, sink tap handles, door knobs, phones and computer equipment), for the phages.

“Within 2 to 4 hours between 40 to 60% of the fomites sampled were contaminated with virus,” 

“The results shown that viral contamination of fomites in facilities occurs quickly, and that a simple intervention can greatly help to reduce exposure to viruses,” 

UVC light, in the special sterilization range of between 240-270nm (nanometers), kills at least 99.9% of germs, bacteria, and virus in the air and on surfaces after only a few seconds.