The influenza aspect of the study involved a series of experiments testing incubation of influenza A on copper and stainless steel surfaces.

Results showed that after incubation for one hour on copper, 75 percent of the virus was eradicated. Similar inactivation rates have now been observed for adenovirus 40/41.

The study has contributed further to the understanding of copper's antimicrobial qualities, which actively inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi and viruses, said a University of Southampton release.

These findings were presented at the BIT Life Sciences' Second Annual World Summit on Anti-virals in Beijing this week.