28 November 2023

Swine influenza is a contagious respiratory disease of pigs that occurs worldwide and has the potential to mutate and could be passed to humans and then from person to person, unless good basic hygiene is followed. 

Evans Vanodine disinfectants GPC8 and Vanoquat have been tested with EN test methods against a Swine Infuenza strain and found to be effective.

GPC8
Evans Vanodine recommends the use of GPC8 against swine flu. GPC8 is a powerful glutaraldehyde based general-purpose disinfectant and has a broad spectrum of activity. It is bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal, it therefore offers protection from a wide range of disease causing (pathogenic) microorganisms. GPC8 is approved by the UK Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), for disinfection under 3 orders for notifiable diseases.

The use of GPC8 is recommended as part of an effective cleaning and disinfection (hygiene) programme, developed to meet the needs of intensive livestock production in the UK and internationally. GPC8 was proven to be effective against the A H1N1 Porcine Influenza strain, at a dilution of 1:400 with a 30 minute contact time, using test method EN 14675.

EN disinfectant test methods are used by European countries to ensure that products are evaluated consistently. They are used to assess the effectiveness of a product against bacteria, fungi and viruses.

The test method used for GPC8, EN 14675, is a quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in the veterinary area. This European Standard is applicable to products for use in the veterinary area, i.e. in the breeding, husbandry, production, transport and disposal of all animals, except when in the food chain following death and entry to the processing industry. The test parameters include: 30 minute contact time, 10°C temperature, hard water, low-level and high-level soiling.

Vanoquat
Our disinfectant VANOQUAT has been proven effective against swine flu, with a dilution rate of 1:50 and 5 minute contact time. Vanoquat is a bactericidal disinfectant with limited virucidal activity. It is for use in animal husbandry and the food process industry where good hygiene practices are essential.

Vanoquat was tested against Influenza A H1N1 virus, as well as Coronavirus, with a modified EN 14476 test method; a quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Modified EN 14476 test parameters include: 5 minute contact time, 20°C temperature, clean conditions. 

The importance of biosecurity 
Farm workers must pay special attention to biosecurity, preventing the transmission of disease-causing agents to where they can pose a risk to animals, humans, or the safety and quality of a food product. Therefore, farmers must clean and disinfect clothing, footwear and vehicles, and use foot and wheel dips containing an approved disinfectant (See DEFRA website for more Biosecurity advice).

The Department of Health, who support the health and social care of the UK, recommend the maintenance of good basic hygiene, such as frequent hand washing followed by hand disinfection with an alcohol hand rub, e.g. Evans HANDSAN. This is to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, or to other people. Handsan has also been tested against Porcine Influenza A H1N1, and Coronavirus, with EN 14476 and is effective undiluted with a 30 second contact time.

The frequent cleaning of hard surfaces (e.g. worktops and door handles) to avoid possible human transmission is also recommended to prevent cross-contamination.