Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza

By DuPont Animal Health Solutions - The leading international biosecurity experts, DAHS are currently focusing on the global effort to prevent and contain the spread of Avian Influenza by providing poultry farmers worldwide with a practical "Avian Influenza Best Practice Series".

4 February 2007

3 minute read

Technical Advice on Foot Dip Best Practice

Designed to provide clear practical biosecurity advice the DAHS Series starts with the how to make and use an effective disinfectant foot dip or boot bath. Disinfectant foot dips play vitally important roles in the preventative biosecurity programmes designed to minimise the transmission of Avian Influenza. Foot dips not only cleanse and disinfect the footwear of farmers entering poultry houses, but they also act as a highly visible sign to farm visitors that biosecurity and disease prevention are taken seriously. Key ground rules for use of foot dips:

Upon entering or leaving the poultry farm always clean boots and remove visible soiling first using a hose and/or brush
Choose a disinfectant that is:
- broad spectrum, with independently proven efficacy against Avian Influenza
- fast-acting, since foot dips necessarily have limited contact time
- effective at low concentration, since any disinfectant chosen needs to be used at higher than usual concentration to withstand possible dilution by rainfall.
Replace the disinfectant solution at least every four days or when obviously soiled.

As witnessed in a recent announcement by the Indonesian Red Cross Society - the Palang Merah - DuPont Animal Health Solutions and its local partners around the world are continually working with international governments to prepare protocols and guidelines for emergency disease outbreaks, such as Avian Influenza.

Emergency Disease Control for Avian Influenza should be based on reliable biosecurity programmes reinforced with a continuous supply of effective disinfectants and cleansers. For example, Virkon® S is ready to be made available at short notice to poultry producers internationally.

Virkon® S is recognised by governments worldwide as a disinfectant of choice for Emergency Disease Control and during the Avian Influenza outbreak in the Netherlands in 2003, Virkon® S was the only disinfectant purchased by the Dutch authorities (the RVV). This decision followed expert consultation with other global governmental bodies.