Successful in destroying influenza virus and novel coronavirus with "ultrasound"

Researchers at the University of São Paulo found that 3–20 MHz ultrasound damaged the envelopes of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in lab tests.

The treated viruses lost much of their ability to infect cells, while nearby human cells were largely unaffected.

The study, published in Scientific Reports, suggests ultrasound could become a non-drug antiviral method.

Because it targets viral structure rather than mutations, the approach may work across multiple variants if it can be made practical.