The Industrial Design Centre (IDC) of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Bombay has made recent headlines by developing a new, portable UltraViolet (UV) sanitiser. Designed to sterilise small, frequently used items like wallets and purses, this innovative solution is geared towards reducing the transmission of viruses through items that change hands often.
Understanding the UV Sanitiser
The IDC’s UV sanitiser is currently at its proof-of-concept stage. Constructed using stainless steel kitchen containers and aluminium mesh, its design is rooted in a study conducted by the US National Library of Medicine and published in the journal PubMed. This study illustrates how ultraviolet C Light can inactivate several deadly viruses including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) Virus and Nipah Virus.
In a world where sanitation has become paramount, certain objects stand as potential disease carriers. Papers, files, currency notes and phones, for instance, are items that humans interact with regularly but cannot be effectively cleaned using sanitising gel.
Contributions from the IDC
Beyond the UV sanitiser, the IDC has been involved in many projects designed to help improve public health and safety. These include initiatives aimed at sanitising larger surfaces and the creation of different sanitiser models.
The IDC has also turned its attention to the production of protective wear. They have begun manufacturing their own double-layered and washable cotton masks. Additionally, in collaboration with Applied Systems, IDC has worked on producing face shields repurposed from helmet visors. In an effort to tackle the challenge of quarantine violations, IIT has also developed apps dedicated to monitoring and managing these instances.
An In-Depth Look at Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)
One of the viruses potentially inactivated by the UV sanitiser, CCHF is a viral haemorrhagic fever usually spread by ticks. Infections can also be contracted through contact with viraemic animal tissues during and immediately after the slaughter of animals.
CCHF outbreaks pose significant threats to public health services. This virus can lead to epidemics, carrying a high case fatality ratio ranging from 10% to 40%. It is endemic throughout Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and Asia.
Symptoms include fever, muscle ache, dizziness, neck pain, backache, headache, sore eyes and photophobia (sensitivity to light). Early symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and sore throat, followed by sharp mood swings, confusion, depression and liver enlargement.
Treatment for CCHF
Presently, the main strategy for managing CCHF in people is general supportive care and treatment of symptoms. The antiviral drug ribavirin has shown potential benefits in treating CCHF infections. Both oral and intravenous applications have proven effective. Unfortunately, there are currently no widely-available vaccines for either human or animal use.
In the absence of a vaccine, raising awareness about risk factors and educating people on measures to reduce exposure to the virus has become essential. This includes understanding the importance of reducing contraction risks through effective sterilisation of objects we frequently come into contact with – something the IDC’s UV sanitiser could potentially do.
