The invention is directed to a microbiological interception enhanced filter medium,
preferably having an adsorbent prefilter located upstream from the filter medium.
Preferably, the prefilter is adapted to remove natural organic matter in an influent
prior to the influent contacting the microbiological interception enhanced filter
medium, thereby preventing loss of charge on the filter medium. The microbiological
interception enhanced filter medium is most preferably comprised of fibrillated
cellulose fibers, in particular, lyocell fibers. At least a portion of the surface
of the at least some of the fibers have formed thereon a microbiological interception
enhancing agent comprising a cationic metal complex. A filter medium of the present
invention provides greater than about 4 log viral interception, and greater than
about 6 log bacterial interception.