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Copper surfaces can destroy norovirus, a new study reveals.

Norovirus is a highly infectious stomach bug that can spread from contaminated food or water, person-to-person contact and contact with contaminated surfaces.  Researchers said the latest study suggests that surfaces made from copper could effectively kill one avenue of infection.

Norovirus is responsible for more than 267 million cases of acute gastroenteritis each year, according to researchers.  There is still no specific treatment or vaccine and outbreaks regularly shut down hospital wards, care homes, hotels and cruise ships.

Lead researcher Professor Bill Keevil, Chair in Environmental Healthcare at the University of Southampton and his team found that copper and its alloys quickly destroyed norovirus.  Furthermore, researchers found that surfaces containing more than 60 percent copper were especially effective at killing the stomach bug. Researchers noted that the contamination model used in the study was designed to simulate fingertip-touch contamination of surfaces.

"Copper alloy surfaces can be employed in high-risk areas such as cruise ships and care homes, where norovirus outbreaks are hard to control because infected people can't help but contaminate the environment with vomiting and diarrhea," Keevil said in a news release.

"The virus can remain infectious on solid surfaces and is also resistant to many cleaning solutions. That means it can spread to people who touch these surfaces, causing further infections and maintaining the cycle of infection. Copper surfaces, like door handles and taps, can disrupt the cycle and lower the risk of outbreaks," he concluded.