The present invention is directed to a coating composition, particularly an architectural coating composition, comprising antimicrobial agents based on zinc pyrithione and zinc oxide, a process for the manufacture of such coating compositions, and their use. Coating compositions comprising zinc pyrithione and zinc oxide as antimicrobial agents exhibit antiviral, antibacterial and/or antifungal activities and efficacies, rendering them suitable for creating hygienic surfaces. The antimicrobial efficacy of these coating compositions will have applications in areas where microbial transmission and infection potential are high. More specifically, the coating compositions comprising zinc pyrithione and zinc oxide exhibit a synergistic antiviral efficacy against the Coxsackievirus type A16 and Enterovirus type 71, viruses responsible for the transmission and infection of hand-foot-mouth disease in children. Additional antiviral or antimicrobial agents that can be used in the coating compositions of the invention include silver in the form of organic or inorganic silver salts.
