4 November 2020

As announced on 2nd November, Avian Influenza of the H5N2 strain has been confirmed in Kent. This strain of avian influenza does not pose a food safety risk to UK consumers, therefore the public health risk is very low.

Avian influenza is a very contagious disease of birds which occurs worldwide. The virus appears naturally among wild birds and can then infect domestic poultry. Infection can be caused through direct contact with infected birds, as well as contact with surfaces which have been contaminated.

Evans Vanodine disinfectants GPC8, FAM30 (Biocid30 Internationally) and Vanodox Formula have been tested against Avian influenza and found to be effective. 

GPC8
Evans Vanodine recommends the use of GPC8 for Avian influenza type A viruses. 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 is proven to be effective against different strains of Avian Influenza viruses, in the UK it is approved by DEFRA at a dilution of 1:50, however internationally it is effectively used at very low dilutions of 1:100.

FAM30
FAM 30 is a powerful iodophor general purpose disinfectant which is bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal, offering protection from a wide range of disease causing (pathogenic) microorganisms. 

FAM 30 is recommended for use in all types of livestock housing as part of a rigorous and effective cleaning and disinfection programme which is developed to meet the needs of intensive livestock production. FAM30 is approved by DEFRA in the UK at a dilution rate of 1:100, as well as internationally at the same dilution.

Vanodox Formula
VANODOX FORMULA, a powerful broad spectrum disinfectant, is a stabilised mixture of peracetic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide and surfactant. Vanodox has been tested against a number of disease-causing micro-organisms. 

Vanodox Formula is recommended to be used as a disinfectant in all types of livestock housing. Field trials on broiler farms have demonstrated the effectiveness of Vanodox Formula in reducing bacterial numbers on surfaces when used as a terminal disinfectant after cleaning. It is approved in the UK by DEFRA at a dilution rate of 1:145, with an effective virucidal dilution percentage of 0.3%. 

Additional Information
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 frequent cleaning of hard surfaces (e.g. worktops and door handles) to avoid possible human transmission is also recommended to prevent cross-contamination. We recommend the use of SHIFT (power wash liquid), TARGET (Foam Cleaner) and TARGET POWERGEL (foam gel cleaner) for the cleaning surfaces prior to disinfection.

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 Coronavirus, with EN 14476 and is effective undiluted with a 30 second contact time. 

Discover the Evans Vanodine Poultry Disinfection Programme Here

Discover the Evans Vanodine GPC8 Biosecurity Leaflet Here

Discover the Evans Vanodine FAM 30 Biosecurity Leaflet Here