Disinfectant dilution disagreement
Disinfectant dilution disagreement
DUE to cold, wet and muddy conditions, makers of MAFF-approved disinfectants are urging producers to amend dilution rates to make them stronger, but some vets say that is unnecessary.
According to Antecs Mark Blackwell, the concentration of disinfectant needs to be increased to ensure viruses are killed rapidly. "This especially applies in the case of wheel dips when lorries pass over disinfectant mats in seconds."
Although Alison Cox, technical officer with DiverseyLever, says hygiene and restricted access is the best solution to controlling the spread of foot-and-mouth virus, producers deciding on dilution rates for disinfectants should appreciate how chemicals are tested to become MAFF-approved.
"Testing requires surfaces to be clean, dry and free from mud and organic contamination. This may not be practical on-farm and suggested MAFF dilution rates may be ineffective.
"Stronger concentrations should be used in a foot-dip, which may be changed only once a day and be full of organic material, as well as on straw mats which have to cope with a lot of traffic."
Producers in doubt about dilution rates should contact manufacturers for advice, adds Mrs Cox.
This advice is backed up by Roger Harvey, a Suffolk-based vet. "It is not just a ploy by manufacturers to increase sales of disinfectant.
"When disinfectant is sprayed on to wet surfaces, it needs to be twice as strong when dealing with organic materials."
Although Bedforshire vet, David Chennells, agrees that disinfectants become less effective when contaminated, he argues that increasing the strength of solution is not the answer.
"When necessary, a boot-wash and wheel-wash containing a detergent should be provided to make sure surfaces are clean before disinfection."
otherwise the process will be ineffectual," Mr Chennells adds.