In light of the World Health Organisation (WHO) decision to raise their Influenza A (H1N1) Pandemic Level to 6. which represents a full blown pandemic with global spread, DuPont Disinfectants and its partners are focusing on the global effort to help prevent the spread of Influenza A (H1N1), which is now presenting a growing threat to the borders of many countries. Tragically, the deaths of several people from this disease in North and Latin America, and now the United Kingdom, only serve to highlight the critical importance of effective biosecurity measures during such serious disease outbreaks.

In 2001, the devastating Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) crisis highlighted the critical role of biosecurity measures at national borders in the control of this most contagious of livestock diseases. In response to this outbreak, countries all over the world implemented emergency disease control strategies to combat the threat of the disease taking hold in their own country.

During the outbreak, nearly 40 countries worldwide chose DuPont Virkon S as their official disinfectant at border controls.

DuPont Virkon S was widely used at airports, sea-ports/harbours and land borders in both personal and vehicle disinfection facilities:

• in disinfectant foot dips and impregnated foot mats for passengers arriving at ports and airports
• to spray luggage, and
• for vehicle and ship disinfection in the form of sprays, impregnated mats and wheel-dips.

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

• In terms of efficacy, DuPont Virkon S is the most proven livestock disinfectant in the world. It 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, DuPont 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).
  
  
• It has been extensively tested and proven highly effective against a wide range of influenza viruses* including the influenza type A virus.
  
  
• In contrast to other disinfectants recommended by the AUSVETPLAN, DuPont Virkon S poses no significant health and safety concerns, with the AUSVETPLAN stating only that 'reasonable care is necessary' during use.
  
  
• DuPont Virkon S is over 90 per cent degradable within the environment and has an outstanding operator safety profile.
  
  
• DuPont Virkon S can be used for all disease prevention and decontamination procedures, e.g. foot-dips, vehicles, surfaces and aerial disinfection, even in the presence of livestock.
  
  
• DuPont Virkon S can be shipped easily and stored for long periods, making it eminently suitable for stockpiling.

Further Reading

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You can find out more on DuPont Disinfectants biosecurity products, programmes and services by clicking here.