Vigilance and good biosecurity are the best forms of defence against disease both in terms of prevention and time to bring an outbreak situation under control. F10® – a total spectrum disinfectant - wishes to encourage everyone to take responsibility for biosecurity to avoid the devastating effects that diseases can have on animals and humans.

 

Review your Products

 

Disinfection is vital to prevent the spread of infectious disease but veterinary staff are often  unaware or confused about proper sanitation procedures. Using the wrong products or not cleaning and disinfecting surfaces correctly could leave your clinic open to an outbreak.

 

Proper Use of Disinfectants

 

All disinfectants are not created equal. Carefully read the label to understand a product’s uses and dilution instructions. Some products both clean and disinfect, making them great for routine cleaning and disinfection. Some, like bleach, disinfect only, which means you must first clean the surface with a detergent before rinsing, drying and applying the disinfectant.

 

Safety of the Disinfectants

 

Use products that are safe in facilities that house dogs, cats, horses, birds and reptiles. Some products are unsafe in close proximity to animals and require their removal to a safe place while disinfection takes place.  Hazardous fumes from certain traditional products must be extracted or allowed to disperse 

Efficacy 

 

Products work best on hard, non-porous surfaces. Only certain brands are proven for the  four most important factors . Ask about these points for any disinfection product you choose:

 

• Safety: Is exposure to the product safe for animals in the vicinty? Are protective measures needed for staff deploying the product (e.g gloves, respirators).

• Efficacy: Does the product really work? Does it do what you need it to do . Note that:

o many products make claims based on lab tests but,  and that is a useful start, but it’s much easier to kill bugs in a test tube than on a floor.  Does the product work in the conditions you experience? 

o Many lab test claims use concentrations far higher than advised in the field

• Toxicity: How safe is the product?  Bleach, for example, can cause skin irritation and inhalation of bleach fumes can be harmful. Occasional use of dilute bleach in the home may not be a problem but health workers using bleach frequently have a higher risk of lung disease. 

• Biodegradability . Is the product safe for the environment? 

 

Beware of Half-price products

 

There are numerous products available in the market. Price is important but it’s a mistake to chose the product based on price alone.  Note that products may appear expensive on the shelf but work out cheaper following dilution.  A cheap product used at 1:10 dilution may be costlier than one working at 1:250. 

 

F10® recommends that all product claims made by disinfectant manufacturers are supported by full testing documentation from independent and accredited laboratories as is the case with F10SC Veterinary Disinfectant.