The most common microbes may well survive on surfaces for months and can be a continuous source of transmission. Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), resistant Enterococcus sp. (VRE), spore-forming Clostridium difficile (C dif.) and highly infectious Norovirus, and Salmonella are shed by infected patients and repeatedly contaminate the surrounding environment.

Copper seems to be an effective and low-cost complementary strategy to reduce the transmission of several infectious diseases by limiting hospital and community infectious transmission.