DAHS Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza Series - No. 2

By DuPont Animal Health Solutions - The critical importance of effective biosecurity measures at Border Control Points is highlighted in a new study from the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, USA.

27 February 2006

3 minute read

DAHS Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza Series - No. 2 - By DuPont Animal Health Solutions - The critical importance of effective biosecurity measures at Border Control Points is highlighted in a new study from the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, USA.

Airport Passenger Footwear Biosecurity: New Study Confirms Role of Virkon® S

The study evaluated current and new protocols for disinfection of airplane passenger footware with the objective of preventing transmission of International Office of Epizootics (OIE) List A livestock diseases such as Avian Influenza.

Dr Sandra Amass, the study lead author concluded that current United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Airport disinfection techniques are inadequate and recommends a new protocol using a combination of brushing and wiping shoe soles with cotton towels soaked in 1% Virkon® S.

Using the new protocol of brushing shoes to remove visible soiling, then wiping the soles with a cotton towel soaked in 1% Virkon® S and drying the shoes using two paper towels, eighteen of the twenty tested shoes met the standard of disinfection. Direct comparison of the current and novel protocols found that the number of bacteria cultured was significantly less (P<0.0001) after implementing the novel protocol.

The authors advise that under the conditions of the study, current US Airport footware disinfection protocols are inadequate when aerobic bacteria are used as a marker. They recommend the implementation of the new protocol for selected passengers who have been in contact with livestock from international flights.

Virkon® S is widely used at airports, seaports / harbours and land borders in Emergency Disease Control disinfection protocols for:

foot cleaning protocols for passengers arriving at ports and airports
as a handwash (in dilute form)
to spray luggage
for vehicle and ship disinfection in the form of sprays, impregnated mats and wheeldips.

The reasons for the choice of Virkon® S by so many national authorities are numerous:

In terms of efficacy, Virkon® S is recommended by the AUSVETPLAN (Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan), the best regarded EDC reference source available, for all 13 viral OIE List A diseases where disinfection is recognised to be important.
In addition Virkon® S has US Environmental Protection Agency official labelling as an approved EDC disinfectant for the major OIE List A diseases of concern including Avian Influenza, Foot and Mouth Disease, Newcastle Disease and Classical Swine Fever (Hog cholera).