Health Canada Biocides Emerging Viral Pathogen policy is triggered for Ebola Disease

With the WHO declaration of ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus as an PHEIC on May 17, 2026, Health Canada’s Emerging Viral Pathogen policy (EVP) is triggered.

As such, disinfectant and biocide registrants are eligible to communicate qualifying language relating to the expected efficacy of a disinfectant/biocide against the Bundibugyo virus, consistent with the disinfectant/biocide EVP policies. For ease of reference, Health Canada’s EVP policy is outlined below.

You may make indirect efficacy claims against emerging enveloped or large non-enveloped viral pathogens if the biocide you received a market authorization for is:

• A “broad-spectrum virucide”, supported by an efficacy claim against any small non-enveloped virus from the following families:
  • Picornaviridae (for example, rhinovirus)
  • Parvoviridae (for example, canine parvovirus)
  • Caliciviridae (for example, feline calicivirus)
  • Astroviridae (for example, human astrovirus)
  • Polyomaviridae (for example, human polyomavirus)
• Effective against other viruses in the identified genus of the emerging viral pathogen
  • For example, any influenza A virus for a claim against influenza A H1N1

However note that Health Canada no longer recommends the use of poliovirus or adenovirus type 5 as qualifying surrogate viruses in support of a broad-spectrum virucide or emerging viral pathogen claim for surface disinfectants.

Health Canada will continue to allow existing historical Poliovirus data to support broad spectrum viral and emerging pathogen claims; however, it will no longer allow existing historical data against human adenovirus type 5 to be used to support new broad spectrum virucide and emerging pathogen claims.