Inactivation of Six Strains of Turkey Reovirus by a Commercial Device Using Ultraviolet Light and Ozone

Turkey reoviruses (TRV) are associated with diverse clinical syndromes in turkeys. Based on the site of virus isolation, the TRVs are designated as TARV (turkey arthritis reovirus), THRV (turkey hepatitis reovirus), and TERV (turkey enteritis reovirus). The environmental stability of TRVs facilitates transmission through contaminated fomites, therefore interventions that reduce or eliminate fomite contamination are essential for biosecurity. We studied the inactivation of six TRV strains using the UVZone Shoe Sanitizing Station (UV-SSS), a commercially available device based on ultraviolet (UV) light and ozone. Viral suspensions of different TRV strains were applied to six types of fomites: stainless steel, aluminum, polypropylene, cardboard, rubber, and fabric. These fomites were exposed to either one 8-second cycle or two consecutive 8-second cycles, and the surviving virus was titrated in QT-35 cells. Inactivation varied significantly with both fomite type and exposure duration. A 16-second treatment consistently achieved greater reductions than a single cycle, with inactivation rates exceeding 90% on porous surfaces, including stainless steel, aluminum, and polypropylene. In contrast, porous materials such as cardboard and fabric showed lower reductions. Strain-specific differences were also observed, with enteric isolates exhibiting higher resistance compared to a brain-derived strain. These results demonstrate that UV-ozone disinfection can substantially reduce TRV on farm-relevant fomites, though effectiveness is influenced by material type, viral strain, and exposure time.