I have always known it to be virucidal. All of my books from school label it as such, but mention that chlorhexidine in general, no matter what formulation, isn't the best virucide as it is only effect against enveloped viruses. Here are a few studies that test it's virucidal activity:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15761405?ordinalpos=20&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

jdr.iadrjournals.org/cgi/reprint/69/3/874.pdf

www.purdue.edu/Research/vpr/rschadmin/rschoversight/animals/docs/GuidelinesforSurvivalRodentSurgery.pdf

In the last link if you scroll down to Table 1 on page 4, they name both Nolvasan and Hibiclens, which are the two most well-known brands of chlorhexidine solutions as both virucidal and Hibiclens is chlorhexidine gluconate.

In all honesty, it probably doesn't matter THAT much since chlorhexidine period isn't that great of a virucide when compared with other disinfectants out there. When you're cleaning a wound you're more concerned with bacteria and fungi and nothing beats chlorhexidine for that. There is not one disinfectant out there that works for all pathogens though. For disinfecting surfaces, nothing beats good ole bleach (0.175% solution) in virucidal activity, though I know we are all scared to use it. 1 part bleach to 35 parts water is very effective (gives you that 0.175% since a bottle of Clorox is 6.15% bleach) and could be used for cleaning say after a possibly diseased snake passed away as long as things are let to air out. There are several quaternary ammonium cleaners that work well against viruses too such as Roccal-D and Foam Quat, both of which are readily used in the veterinary field. If you use Roccal-D, the current dilution I've seen mentioned by authors is 1:200-1:400 when used around reptiles, which is less than called for on the label.

Boy Jonathan, you're making my brain work today! It's always good to have constructive discussions though!

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