a method of adsorbing from a solution comprising a biological sample viruses which retain their viability and infectivity . the method comprises adjusting the ph of said solution to ph 6 . 0 to 8 . 0 ; adding an effective amount of a water insoluble cross - linked polycarboxylic acid polymer into said solution in a volume : volume ratio of wcpp to solution of 100 : 1 to 1 : 10 , 000 to form a wcpp - solution mixture ; incubating said wcpp - solution mixture for a time sufficient to immobilize said viruses on said wcpp forming a wcpp - virus matrix ; and separating said matrix from said solution . this novel method is suitable for removing , purifying , recovering and analyzing viable viruses as well as viral components such as viral proteins and nucleic acids .