The first precaution is to confine the animal and restrict its movement. This both aids in prevention of contact with other animals and thus transmission of the virus and also limits the area where the virus has been shed. This is important if the animal has diarrhea and the virus is shed in the feces.
Enveloped viruses are less able to survive in the environment.
Canine Coronavirus are susceptible to common disinfectants. Rotavirus, an uneveloped virus is suceptible to phenolic disinfectants. Some viruses, like parvo are not susceptible to commercial disinfectants but can be killed with household bleach. It is important to scrub the contact area and general surroundings well. Some viruses are susceptible to heat or cool temperatures and thus time will result in their death.