Which virus is known for its ability to remain infectious on surfaces for extended periods?

The measles virus is known for its exceptional durability on surfaces, maintaining its infectious potential for hours to days, depending on the environment. This characteristic is primarily due to its robust nature and the stability of its viral envelope outside a host. The virus can linger in the air and on surfaces after an infected person has vacated the area, demonstrating a higher resilience compared to many other pathogens.

In contrast, while the influenza virus can also survive on surfaces, its infectious duration tends to be shorter. HIV, on the other hand, does not retain its infectious capability outside the human body for long, as it rapidly becomes inactive when exposed to the environment. The COVID-19 virus, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, does remain viable on various surfaces for certain periods, but not consistently as long as the measles virus can. Thus, the measles virus is recognized for its unique ability to persist and remain infectious well beyond the duration typical of many other viruses.