Virkon® Proven Effective Against H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus

Virkon®, now available from Anachem, has been recognised by governments worldwide as a disinfectant of choice for the Emergency Disease Control of Avian Influenza. It has been independently proven to be highly effective against the lethal H5N1 strain.

Independent tests carried out by the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Peoples Republic of China, have proved that Virkon® completely inactivates the H5N1 virus following a ten minute exposure time under laboratory test conditions.

In the face of challenging farm conditions, such as heavy organic challenge, short contact time, possible dilution by rain water, low temperatures and the broad range of disease causing organisms that can exist on farms, Virkon® is recommended for use at a dilution of 1:100 for preventative and continuous biosecurity measures to provide high levels of efficacy.

With outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Russia, Romania and Turkey and around 8,500 head of poultry already slaughtered in Turkey, European veterinary experts have advised poultry producers to heighten their biosecurity vigilance to reduce the likelihood of infectious migratory wild birds infecting the tens of millions of European birds. During the Avian Influenza outbreak in the Netherlands in 2003, Virkon® was the only disinfectant purchased by the Dutch authorities (the RVV). This decision followed expert consultation with other global governmental bodies.

Virkon, the tried, tested and proven high level disinfectant is now available in a handy and convenient tablet formulation from Anachem. Virkon provides totally effective infection control for all laboratory surfaces, equipment and instruments. Each Virkon tablet dissolved in 500ml of water provides a 1% working solution that is ready to use in minutes.

This rapid, user friendly chemical disinfectant kills 99.999% of organisms in less than 10 minutes. Virkon is a non-toxic, non-sensitising and biodegradable, it is non-chlorine based, with an exceptional safety profile. Pleasant to use with a faint lemon odour and self indicating colour. Virkon has all the attributes of a disinfectant for use in a healthcare environment in close proximity to patients. Virkon has no noxious vapour to cause irritation to eyes and respiratory tract.

Benefits include user and environmental safety - no fumes or vapour as it does not evolve chlorine when prepared. Broad spectrum high level efficacy, environmentally sound, through biodegradability and compatible with a wide range of materials including stainless steel, plastic and rubber.

Virkon is available in 5 kilo powder drums for large scale use, 500gm shaker packs for direct application to body fluids, 50 gm sachets for unit dose preparation of 5 litre volumes or 5gm tablets for small volume applications. Virkon in all forms is dissolved in tap water to form a solution effective up to 5 days or as indicated by the colour of the solution, which fades when nearing its use-life limit.

For more information on Virkon, contact Anachem using the contact details at the top of this page.