S

Powerful Broad Spectrum

Virucidal Disinfectant

The Leader in Biosecurity

for Pig Farms

Product Overview
Redefining the chemistry
of biosecurity.
When Virkon™ S was launched in 1986, it was the most formulation, and it is easy to see why governments the
advanced farm disinfectant for its time. It was one of the world over keep stocks of Virkon™ S for emergency
first oxidative disinfectants to be used on the farm and disease-control purposes.
continues to lead the way in pig biosecurity, having been
deployed successfully against 500 disease-causing Virkon™ S was originally developed to specifically
organisms. address the practical biosecurity requirements of
modern-day farming and livestock production. The
For nearly 30 years, Virkon™ S has set new benchmarks powerful capabilities of peroxygen-based chemistry in
in many important aspects of biosecurity, from improved the formulation of Virkon™ S provide a broad spectrum
handling and operator safety profiles, to proven on-farm of efficacy with specific focus against viral disease-
efficacy and application flexibility. Add to this the excellent causing organisms.
stability and long shelf life of the powder-based

New design. Same unrivalled science.

The Virkon™ range of disinfection products now

have a dynamic new look to match their biosecurity
disinfecting power. Look out for the new enhanced
pack designs from your local supplier.

Visit virkon.com for more details.

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Industry-leading chemistry recognised
by governments worldwide.
Virkon™ S is a scientific breakthrough with performance It is proven:
characteristics that have defined biosecurity standards.
To kill over 500 strains of viruses, bacteria,
Not surprisingly, Virkon™ S is the choice of the Food
and fungi
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
and governments worldwide to secure biosecurity Against foot and mouth disease (FMD), porcine
and strengthen emergency disease control (EDC) reproductive & respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus,
contingency planning. The Australian and New Zealand porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine enteric
governments’ AUSVETPLAN is probably the best- diarrhoea virus (PEDv), African Swine Fever,
regarded EDC reference source. Virkon™ S continues to Salmonella and Campylobacter
be the only branded disinfectant referred to in the 2008
AUSVETPLAN, stating that “Virkon™ S is a modern To be powerful, fast acting, flexible,
disinfectant with outstanding virucidal properties.” multipurpose biosecurity disinfectant

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Proven chemistry.
Proven results.
Independently proven broad Performs in the laboratory.
spectrum efficacy. Performs on the farm.
As part of our commitment to evolving chemistry, safety, Proven on-farm efficacy offers producers reassurance
and stewardship, we have heavily invested in performance and the knowledge that the product they are using will be
and safety testing. And, Virkon™ S has a significant effective in real farm conditions, where low temperatures
number of studies supporting approved label claims and high levels of organic challenge can present serious
against the OIE listed diseases, including foot and mouth problems to other disinfectants. Live pig transport is an
disease (FMD), classical swine fever, Aujeszky’s disease important vector of PRRS virus into farms and within
(AD), Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) and African pig flows.
Swine Fever.
The Swine Disease Eradication Center, University of
For Salmonella, studies confirm that Virkon™ S is Minnesota, published important results aimed at helping
highly active against the most prevalent strains responsible producers reduce the risk of spreading highly infective
for food poisoning. The broad spectrum efficacy of PRRS virus by live animal transport.1 In a study performed
Virkon™ S has been independently proven against: on a full-size pig trailer under practical constraints to match
field conditions, the researchers selected 1% Virkon™ S
Over 100 strains of viruses in 22 viral families
as the study disinfectant due to its proven broad spectrum
Over 400 strains of bacteria virucidal activity, including against PRRS virus. Their
results were excellent, producing “good inactivation of
Over 60 strains of fungi PRRS virus within the target time when cold water was
used and disinfection applied by foaming.” This work,
These studies were conducted using a wide range
coupled with the known broad spectrum of activity of
of contact times, temperatures, and organic challenge
Virkon™ S, confirmed that it is the disinfectant of choice
levels.
for transport biosecurity. These wide-ranging, real-world
biosecurity challenges demonstrate the broad spectrum
Formulated broad spectrum killing power.
proven efficacy of Virkon™ S against both viruses and
Formulated to overcome the problems of limited spectrum bacteria. Virkon™ S has been proven time and again to
and limited activity exhibited by other disinfectants, meet the toughest biosecurity challenges better than any
Virkon™ S achieves deactivation and destruction of the of its competitors and provides the key to combating the
target organism through a broad spectrum, non-selective effects of viruses and bacteria in livestock production.
range of oxidation reactions. Unlike other disinfectant
chemistries, such as aldehydes, Virkon™ S does not exert
a specific toxicological effect on the target organism and
is proven to kill pathogens in seconds.

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Excellent control of food-poisoning
pathogens to EN test standards.
With the stringent EU legislation on Salmonella and
Campylobacter control in full force across the swine
industry, Virkon™ S has been re-evaluated at Wageningen
University in the Netherlands to specifically address
the EU legislation. The latest EN 1656 Salmonella and
Campylobacter studies confirmed that Virkon™ S achieved
excellent dilution rates of 1:100 and 1:200 against the
most prevalent Salmonella strains responsible for food
poisoning; these include S. enteritidis, S. typhimurium,
S. virchow, S. infantis, and S. hadar, and Campylobacter
jejuni. Additionally, similar data is now available for
Staphylococcus aureus (pig MRSA).

The gold standard foot dip disinfectant –

for rapid speed of kill.

Independent field trials have demonstrated the impracticality

of many types of disinfectants for foot dips due to slow kill rates.
Researchers at Indiana’s Purdue University in the US compared
the performance of disinfectants from six leading classes,2 and
only the QAC disinfectant provided adequate foot dip disinfection
but required an impractical five-minute soak after boot cleaning.
However, when Virkon™ S was evaluated under similar
circumstances, effective disinfection was achieved after boot
cleaning in just 30 seconds.3 The study confirmed that
Virkon™ S achieves excellent speed of kill at low temperatures
and in the presence of organic challenge.

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Operational benefits.
Because Virkon™ S simply
offers more.
No need for rotation. Easy to transport and store.
Independent studies have demonstrated that Virkon™ S Virkon™ S can be transported conveniently and rapidly
is less likely to lead to the development of acquired by rail, sea, and air. It is not classified as “dangerous for
resistance when compared with certain other disinfectant transport,” reducing the cost of shipment and negating
chemistries, consequently removing the need for the requirement to manage staff qualified in the shipment
disinfectant rotation.4,5 of dangerous goods. Due to the complexities and
restrictions surrounding shipment of dangerous goods,
Superior operator safety. shipment times can be prolonged.

Extensive investment has been made to assess the safety The powder formulation of Virkon™ S simplifies storage
of Virkon™ S users. The assessment demonstrates that thanks to its stability. So it can be stored for long periods,
Virkon™ S is not corrosive to skin and does not cause making it ideal for stockpiling in bulk.
sensitisation. A typical in-use dilution of 1:100 (1%) has
been shown to be non-irritating to skin and eyes, and is
not a sensitising agent.

Effective low-temperature performance.

The ability of a disinfectant to work well at low temperatures
contributes to the value of its use on a daily basis. It is well
established that the efficacy of disinfectants can decrease
as temperature decreases. Further, it has been shown
that formaldehyde exhibits reduced biocide performance
when the temperature is lowered. Conversely, Virkon™ S
maintains activity against various viruses at 4°C.

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Environmental profile. Aerial misting in the presence of animals.
The Virkon™ S oxygen-based chemistry contains simple Spraying a fine disinfectant mist in swine housing
inorganic salts and organic acids. The active ingredient can help reduce cross infection and prevent secondary
decomposes by a variety of routes within the environment, infection during outbreaks of respiratory and other
in soil and in water, breaking down to form the naturally diseases. Virkon™ S can be misted in the presence of pigs
occurring substances potassium salts and oxygen. The at a dilution rate of 1:200 (0.5%). It is always important
major organic components are classified as readily to read the Virkon™ S label in order to ensure regulatory
biodegradable, according to OECD and EU test methods. compliance.

Virkon™ S is not considered persistent in the environment,

according to the standard European process for the
classification and labelling of chemical preparations.
Independent studies have shown that diluted Virkon™ S
should not, when used as directed, pose any threat to Biosecurity in a single pack.
sewage treatment facilities.6
Virkon™ S offers farmers a convenient,
multipurpose biosecurity system all in one pack
for a wide range of applications:

Surfaces Aerial disinfection

Equipment Water delivery

systems
Vehicles

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Supporting
the reduction
of antibiotic
use.
Governments worldwide are seeking reductions
in the use of livestock antibiotics to limit the development
of antibiotic resistance, which can pass to the human
population. Targeted legislation to reduce the use
of prophylactic antibiotics in the food chain is now
becoming a reality. So it’s critical that producers take
steps to improve their biosecurity measures.

With proven efficacy in a wide range of real-world

biosecurity challenges against both viruses and bacteria,
Virkon™ S has proven key to combating the effects
of viruses and bacteria in livestock production. As
a disinfectant of choice for governments worldwide,
Virkon™ S leads the way forward in biosecurity best-
practice programmes.

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Application & Use Guidance
Surface and Equipment Disinfection

Surface Disinfection Dilution Rate Application

Routine disinfection for all surfaces, 1:100 (10 grams of Virkon™ S Using a pressure washer or other mechanical
earth, wood, and concrete to every 1 litre of water) sprayer, apply Virkon™ S solution at an
application rate of 300ml/m2.

Surface Application Usage Chart

To estimate the total surface area to be disinfected, including walls and ceilings, multiply the total floor area by 2.5.*

Dilution Rate

Routine Disinfection and

1:200
UK DEFRA ‘General Orders’
(0.5%)
and SVD Orders
Surface Volume of
Area to be Water
Disinfected Required Quantity of Virkon™ S to be added

50m2 15 litres 150g 75g

100m2 30 litres 300g 150g

500m2 150 litres 1.5kg 750g

1000m2 300 litres 3kg 1.5kg

2500m2 750 litres 7.5kg 3.75kg

1. Decide on the volume of disinfectant solution required at the appropriate dilution rate.
2. Measure out the appropriate quantity of Virkon™ S powder to achieve the desired dilution rate.
3. Add the Virkon™ S powder to the water and stir thoroughly to dissolve.
4. Using a pressure washer or other mechanical sprayer, apply Virkon™ S solution at an application rate of 300ml/m2.
5. All surfaces should be cleaned and allowed to dry prior to disinfection.

*This calculation is a guide based upon UK conversion rates, and reflects usage in buildings with semi porous surfaces. Please check
your country-/regional-specific requirements.

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Application & Use Guidance
Equipment Disinfection

Equipment Disinfection Dilution Rate Application

Routine cleaning and disinfection 1:100 (10 grams of Virkon™ S Using a brush or pressure washer, wash all
of movable equipment to every 1 litre of water) equipment in Virkon™ S solution until visibly
clean.

Disinfectant Foot Dips: Preparation and Use

Disinfection Dilution Rate Application

Routine disinfection of footwear 1:100 (10 grams of Virkon™ S Replace solution once it has either become
to every 1 litre of water) soiled or after a period of 4–5 days.

Water System Disinfectant

Terminal and continuous disinfection — all water systems can potentially contain some viral and bacterial contamination,
especially header tanks where dust and debris can accumulate. Disinfection will clean the system and eliminate viruses,
bacteria, and fungal growth.

Water System Disinfection Dilution Rate Application

Terminal disinfection 1:200 to 1:100 Isolate header tank at the mains and drain off to drinker points
farthest from tank. Clean out any gross soiling and debris. Refill
with water and add the appropriate volume of Virkon™ S powder,
thoroughly stir and leave for 10 minutes. Flush system through to
all drain-off points and leave for a further 50 minutes before
draining system and refilling with clean water.

At the terminal disinfection stage, biofilm build-up within

irrigation lines is a known issue of concern, we recommend a
longer contact time to address this challenge. Follow the
instructions as above, but increase the soak time to a minimum
of 4 hours.

Continuous disinfection 1:1000 Dose header tank as required or apply through water system
dosing equipment.

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Virkon™ S Water Disinfection Usage Table

Dilution Rate

Routine Terminal High Disease Risk Continuous Water

1:200 Terminal 1:100 Disinfection 1:1000
Litres of Water
to be Disinfected Quantity of Virkon™ S to be added

100 litres 500g 1kg 100g

250 litres 1.25kg 2.5kg 250g

500 litres 2.5kg 5kg 500g

1000 litres 5kg 10kg 1kg

Aerial Disinfection
Misting/Aerial Spraying, Cold and Thermal Fogging
To assist the control of organisms that may be introduced into a building during the set up procedure, and to disinfect
inaccessible areas of the building and the air, use either a fine mist sprayer or thermal fogging machine to apply
Virkon™ S disinfectant solution evenly. Aerial disinfection may also help control any contamination introduced to the
building surfaces by airborne particulate matter present within the environment.

Equipment Disinfection Dilution Rate Application

Misting / Aerial Spray 1:200 Using either a pressure washer

or knapsack sprayer on its finest mist
setting, apply 20ml of Virkon™ S solution
per m3 of air space.*

Cold Fogging 1:100 Use a mechanical mister to apply the

Virkon™ S solution at a rate of
40ml per m3 of air space.

Thermal Fogging 1:25 (4%) solution of Virkon™ S Using a suitable thermal fogging machine,
in an 90:10 water: Virkon™ S apply the prepared solution at 10ml per m3
Fog Enhancer mixture of air space.

* Equivalent to approximately 1 litre of VirkonTM S solution per 20m2 of floor space. The calculations in this table are a guide based upon UK conversion
rates, and reflects usage in buildings with semi-porous surfaces. Please check your country/regional specific requirements.

Aerial Disinfection in the Presence of Livestock

Virkon™ S can be misted in the presence of pigs at a dilution rate of 1:200 (0.5%)

A cold fogger or mister should be used.

Always read the Virkon™ S label to ensure regulatory compliance.

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Proven Broad Spectrum Efficacy.
Virucidal Activity Data
Pig Disease / Related Condition Virus Family Dilution Rate Contact time (mins)

Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Arterivirus 1:600 10

1:200 1

African swine fever (ASF) Asfarviridae 1:800 30

Post Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) Circoviridae 1:200 10

Porcine Dermatitis and Necropathy Syndrome (PDNS)
Porcine Circovirus 2 (PCV2)

Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE) Coronaviridae 1:100 10

Classical Swine Fever (CSF)/Hog Cholera Flaviviridae 1:150 30

Aujeszky’s disease (AD) Herpesviridae 1:100 1

Swine influenza (H1N1) Orthomyxoviridae 1:200 1

Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) (DEFRA approval) Picornaviridae 1:1300 30

Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) 1:200 1

Swine Vesicular Disease (SVD) (DEFRA approval) Picornaviridae 1:200 30

Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDv) Coronaviridae 1:600 10

Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDv) 1:200 1

Fungicidal Activity Data

Pig Disease / Related Condition Pathogen Dilution Rate Contact time (mins)

Aspergillosis Aspergillus niger 1:25 30

Gastro-oesophageal ulcers Candida albicans 1:100 10

Dermatophytosis Trichophyton 1:50 10

mentagrophytes

Bactericidal Activity Data

Pig Disease / Related Condition Pathogen Dilution Rate Contact time (mins)

Pleuropneumonia Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae 1:100 10

Food poisoning — humans Bacillus cereus 1:100 10

Atrophic Rhinitis Bordetella bronchiseptica 1:100 10

Spirochaetosis Brachyspira hyodysenteriae 1:3333 10

Abortions Brucella abortus 1:100 10

The specified uses and registered claims for Virkon™ S may vary from country to country. Please contact LANXESS directly to verify
country–specific approved usages. See page 14 for contact details.

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Bactericidal Activity Data

Pig Disease / Related Condition Pathogen Dilution Rate Contact time (mins)

Food poisoning — humans Campylobacter coli 1:100 5

Campylobacter jejuni 1:100 5
Campylobacter jejuni 1:200 30
Campylobacter pyloridis 1:100 10

Necrotizing Enterocolitis Clostridium perfringens 1:100 10

Dermatitis Dermatophilus congolensis 1:100 10

Septicaemia Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae 1:100 10

Diarrhoea, Oedema Escherichia coli 1:200 5

Various infections — human E.coli ESBL strain 1:100 10

Food poisoning — humans Escherichia coli O157:H7 1:100 5

Septicaemia, respiratory disease Haemophilus somnus 1:100 10

Abortion, foetal loss, endometritis, mastitis Klebsiella pneumoniae 1:100 10

Various infections — human Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBL strain 1:100 10

Swine proliferative enteritis Lawsonia intracellularis 1:100 30

Abortion septicaemia, Encephalitis, Food poisoning Listeria monocytogenes 1:100 10

— humans

Polyserositis Mycoplasma hyorhinis 1:800 5

Swine enteritis related infections Pasteurella haemolytica 1:100 10

Pneumonia, Atrophic Rhinitis Pasteurella multocida 1:100 10

Secondary infections, co-infections with PCV2 Proteus mirabilis 1:100 5

Respiratory infection Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1:200 5

Food poisoning — humans Salmonella choleraesuis 1:100 10

Salmonella enteritidis PT4 1:100 5
Salmonella enteritidis 1:200 30
Salmonella hadar 1:200 30
Salmonella infantis 1:200 30
Salmonella thomasville 1:200 30
Salmonella virchow 1:200 30

Enterocolitis, Septicaemia, Food poisoning — humans Salmonella typhimurium DT104 1:200 30

Human infections Staphylococcus aureus (pig 1:100 30

MRSA)

Botryomycosis Staphylococcus aureus 1:100 0.5

Septicaemia, Meningitis, Arthritis, Bronchopneumonia Streptococcus suis 1:400 30

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References
1. Dee SA, Deen J, Pijoan C. Evaluation of an industry-based sanitation protocol for full-size transport vehicles
contaminated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. J Swine Health Prod. 2006;14(6):307–311.

2. Amass SF et al. Evaluating the efficacy of boot baths in biosecurity protocols. J Swine Health Prod 2000; 8:169–173.

3. Amass SF et al. Evaluation of the efficacy of a peroxygen compound, Virkon™ S, as a boot-bath disinfectant.
J Swine Health Prod 2001;9(3):121–123.

4. Possible associations between Salmonella persistence in poultry houses and resistance to commonly used
disinfectants and a putative role of mar. K.O. Gradel et al./ Veterinary Microbiology 107 (2005) 127–138.

5. Randall, L. P., et al. 2007. Commonly used farm disinfectants can select for mutant Salmonella enterica serovar
typhimurium with decreased susceptibility to biocides and antibiotics without compromising virulence. J. antimicrob.
Chemother. 60, 1273–1280.

6. WRc, 1997. Study to determine the toxicity of the virucidal disinfectant Virkon™ S to the waterflea (Daphnia magna),
the earthworm (Eisenia foetida) and anaerobic sludge.

Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

Antec International Limited

LANXESS Material Protection Products
Windham Road, Chilton Industrial Estate,
Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2XD
United Kingdom

Tel. +44 (0)1787 377305

biosecurity@lanxess.com
virkon.com
lanxess.com

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15
 SPowerful Broad Spectrum
Virucidal Disinfectant

10 reasons to put Virkon™ S at the heart

of pig farm biosecurity.
1.

2.
S
Virkon™ S redefined farm biosecurity and leads the way forward in emergency disease control measures

Approved by governments worldwide to combat major diseases, such as FMD, PRRS virus, PEDV and more
Powerful Broad Spectrum
Virucidal Disinfectant
3. The only branded disinfectant referred to in the 2008 AUSVETPLAN, Australia and New Zealand’s emergency disease
control plan

4. The gold standard foot dip disinfectant that kills pathogens 10 times faster than the nearest competitor, even at low
temperatures and in the presence of organic challenge2,5

5. Independently proven in field trials to be highly effective against the most serious threat to livestock: viruses

6. No need to rotate; proven to reduce the potential infectivity of resistant Salmonella superstrains

7. Superior operator safety profile; can be misted in the presence of animals

8. Formulated to include ingredients that have been carefully selected for their ability to degrade naturally within the
environment

9. Easy to store and to transport by rail, sea, and air, with no additional spend requirements for storage or transport

10. Biosecurity in a single pack for surfaces, equipment, vehicles, aerial disinfection, and water delivery systems

©2018 LANXESS. Virkon™, LANXESS™, the LANXESS Logo and any associated logos are trademarks or copyrights of LANXESS
Deutschland GmbH or its affiliates. All trademarks are registered in many countries worldwide.

Learn more at virkon.com

LANXESS/ Virkon™ S Swine/brochure/UK/25.01.18/G