These are the things that will kill
Streptococcus pyogenes:
SECTION IV – STABILITY AND VIABILITY
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: S. pyogenes infections are susceptible to a variety of drugs: β-lactams such as penicillin, as well as erythromycin, clindamycin, imipenem, rifampin, vanomycin, macrolides and lincomycin; however, certain strains of the bacterium have been found to resistant to macrolides, lincomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracyclines and cotrimoxazole (5, 7, 19, 20).
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: This bacteria is susceptible to 1% sodium hypochlorite, 4% formaldehyde, 2% glutaraldehyde, 70% ethanol, 70% propanol, 2% peracetic acid, 3-6% hydrogen peroxide and 0,16% iodine (2).
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Bacteria are susceptible to moist heat (121 ºC for at least 15 minutes) and dry heat (170 ºC for at least 1 hour) (21).
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: The bacterium can survive on a dry surface for 3 days to 6.5 months (22). It has been found to survive in ice cream (18 days), raw and pasteurized milk at 15-37 ºC (96 hrs), room temperature butter (48 hrs), and neutralized butter (12-17 days) (17). GAS has been found to last several days in cold salads at room temperature (18).
The truth, is though, that contact with dry contaminated items is not a major mode of transmission. Transmission usually occurs via damp contact:
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Transmission via respiratory droplets, hand contact with nasal discharge and skin contact with impetigo lesions are the most important modes of transmission (5, 9, 13). The pathogen can be found in its carrier state in the anus, vagina, skin and pharynx and contact with these surfaces can spread the infection (5, 14, 15) The bacterium can be spread to cattle and then back to humans through raw milk as well as through contaminated food sources (salads, milk, eggs); however, cattle do not contract the disease (16-18). Necrotizing fasciitis is usually because of contamination of skin lesions or wounds with the infectious agent (12).
phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/strep-pyogenes-eng.php
I would not bleach all your children’s toys, and I certainly would not consider the inner electronic spaces a likely reservoir for infection. If your child didn’t spit on it or wipe snot on it, it is highly unlikely to be contaminated. If our doctor advised disinfection (has yours?), I’d probably spray with Everclear (95% ethanol) or 70% proponol since it will remove itself by evaporation, doesn’t harm dyes as bleach does (sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in household bleach, is a powerful oxidant)and is unlikely to disfigure the toy or ruin any surface coatings. If you feel you must disinfect, you don’t need to go nuclear and ruin the toys! Heating in an oven at its lowest possible setting (most ovens don’t go below 180 degrees) might be an option for some items, but electronics will not take kindly to it.
In our state, food-grade 95% ethanol can be purchased in liquor stores by asking for it. It is not kept out for display, because of the young people who make bad use of it. I would think that 70% proponol would be cheaper, though. Whatever you choose, test in an inconspicuous place first, in case the disinfectant isn’t safe for that surface.
The truth is, if your children’s toys have been left to dry for a week or two since they last played with them, you probably couldn’t get a swab to grow that strep out if you had blood agar. The most likely reservoir is not those toys, but your kids themselves, who will be immune but could still be carriers.** Enforcing good hygiene habits on your kids and their friends is where your epidemiological efforts ought to be concentrated!**
