Tokyo, January 17, 2007----- SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO) announced today that the company’s proprietary electrolyzed water technology, which has been applied to a number of heat, ventilation and air conditioning products, was confirmed to be more than 99% effective in suppressing Norovirus (Feline Calicivirus) infectivity*, a virus which has been running rampant this winter. The findings were the result of joint research with the Gunma Prefecture Institute for Public Health and Environmental Sciences.

In May 2006, this same technology was confirmed to inactivate the highly-pathogenic avian influenza and other airborne human influenza which have become of particular concern around the world in recent years, a finding that resulted from joint research with Tottori University.

Norovirus

Norovirus is a virus that usually presents symptoms similar to stomach influenza (Infectious Enterocolitis) such as acute-onset vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps, and is known to cause mass infection during the winter season. The viral particle is spherical-shaped with a diameter of about 38nm. When observed under a microscope the virus is seen as a structure with cup-shaped indentations, and hence is classified as a Calicivirudae. Etymologically, “Calix” comes from the Latin for “cup”. As there are a considerable number of serotypes in Norovirus, it is difficult to build immunity to re-infection even after having been infected once, and it is possible to have an onset of stomach influenza through the Norovirus numerous times during the winter season.

Feline Caliciviridae

Feline Caliciviridae, which presents as acute-onset of diarrhea in cats, is very similar in terms of topical characteristics and clinical symptoms to the Norovirus, causing stomach influenza. In order to develop sterilization technology or preventative methods for the Norovirus, which can not be cultivated in vitro, considerable efforts have been made in researching Feline Caliciviridae. Today Feline Caliciviridae is widely recognized as a substitute evaluation for the Norovirus among researchers.