AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH
TO EGG DISINFECTION

Background Information 

Within the industry poultry breeders have for many years recognised the benefits of egg disinfection.

The benefits of egg disinfection in improved hatchability, chick uniformity and chick quality have been demonstrated widely: the use of thermal fogging is accepted practice in all hatchery biosecurity programmes.

However many of the products in use today are either toxic (formalin), difficult to handle (formalin), unstable (chlorine) or of limited efficacy (chlorine donors).

This method of disinfectant application can be rapid and does not involve large volumes of liquids in buildings where equipment and eggs are already placed. The drawback of the low volumes that are applied in this way is that there is insufficient penetration of organic matter and porous surfaces: a successful thermal fogging primarily depends on the consistency of the application on eggshells.

The disinfectants commonly recommended for thermal fogging can be listed as the following:

·         Formaldehyde/formalin is widely used because it is cheap and quite effective but carries major health risks for manpower, eg. skin and mucosal irritation, respiratory problems, asthma, sensitisation and possible carcinogenic effects. Importantly residues on walls can be released several days later and the effects can be cumulative. In view of modern concerns for health and safety the use of this chemical should be strongly questioned.

·         Glutaraldehyde very similar to formaldehyde and burdened with the same risks. One extra danger is the absence of an unpleasant smell.

·         Glutaraldehyde and QAC Ammonium mixtures are by with lower efficacy than  Glutaraldehyde but still have significant health risks.

·         Antec Virkon S is a powdered peroxygen which is made up into solution. Has proven high levels of activity against a wide range of common egg pathogens. It is safe in use for both operators and eggs. 

Advantages of Antec Virkon Thermal Fog System

With the development of safer disinfection systems such as Antec Virkon S aldehydes can be replaced for spray disinfection and now with the Thermal Fog System Virkon S can be used for a complete disinfection programme in the hatchery. 

  The Virkon S thermal fog system consists of Virkon S the supreme broad spectrum virucidal disinfectant plus Virkon S fog enhancer.

The combination of these two products in an aqueous solution when used through commonly available thermal foggers creates a dense fog which gives a level of disinfection suitable for the final stage in a full biosecurity programme.

The Virkon S plus fog enhancer system has two important advantages:

1. Safety

The Virkon plus fog enhancer system used as directed creates no toxic hazard to the operators.

2. Speed

Because it is so safe operators can enter the building as soon as the fog has dispersed. 

AIR JET SYSTEM: A USER FRIENDLY MACHINE OPERATION

AIR JET SYSTEM and AIR JET MOBILE have been developed to control airborne disease challenge (eg. virus, bacteria, molds, yeasts) by enhancing misting, spraying or fogging application of a wide range of disinfectants including modern formulated products like Antec Virkon S. In comparison with all other equipment traditionally used for the application of disinfectants, the innovation of AIR JET SYSTEM is represented by the so called DRY SPRAY EFFECT or a very fine atomization of the water droplet trough a pneumatic distributor thus avoiding water stagnation and condensing on the treated surfaces.

AIR JET SYSTEM consists of a central unit, a supply station of 24 V rotatings and as many distribution lines as required by the premise where the equipment will be installed.

AIR JET MOBILE offers the same competitive advantage of AIR JET SYSTEM in a mobile version featured by a high degree of user friendliness relating to its solidity, low weight, easy handling, material safety and minimal operating costs. 

VIRKON S + AIR JET SYSTEM: A PROVEN FIELD EFFICACY