Resistance to physical and chemical action
Temperature:
Thermal inactivation point (TIP) for Alphaviruses is 58°C and virion half-life is 7 hours at 37°C
pH:
Alphavirus virions are stable in alkaline environment of pH 7–8 but inactivated quickly at acidic pH
Chemicals/Disinfectants:
Inactivated by various common disinfectants; sensitive to organic solvents and detergents 1% sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, 2% glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde
Survival:
The agent is susceptible to radiant sunlight, moist or dry heat and drying thus cool, moist, dark conditions favour survival