What is it?
Virkon™S is a broad-spectrum virucidal, bactericidal and fungicidal disinfectant based on an oxidising peroxymonosulfate system. It is effective against more than 500 pathogenic organisms and is used worldwide in livestock farming, greenhouse horticulture, companion-animal settings, aquaculture, laboratories, healthcare and public services.
A single disease outbreak can start with one animal, plant or fish and spread extremely rapidly. Virkon™S provides the broad-spectrum solution that helps prevent this.
The gold standard for forty years
In 1986, Antec International introduced a breakthrough in disinfection technology: Virkon™S, the first broad-spectrum disinfectant based on an oxidising system. Four decades later it remains a market leader used by governments, livestock farmers and laboratories worldwide. Virkon™S is one of the world’s most extensively documented disinfectants.
Why Virkon™S?
- Effective against more than 500 pathogenic organisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and yeasts.
- No demonstrated resistance: no tested organism has developed resistance, so alternation with another disinfectant is unnecessary.
- One product for surfaces, equipment, vehicles and drinking-water systems.
- Powder form for stable storage and straightforward transport without ADR restrictions.
- Built-in colour indicator: the pink working solution shows whether it remains active.
- Safe for staff when used correctly in accordance with the label.
- Extensively documented with independent efficacy data.
Registration
- Netherlands authorisation
- Ctgb 13676
- Belgium authorisation
- BE-REG-00078
- PT02
- Disinfectants for private use and public health, and other disinfectants
- PT03
- Veterinary-hygiene biocidal products
- PT05
- Disinfectants for drinking water for humans and animals
Always consult the label and safety data sheet for full directions, authorised uses and safety information.
General dosage
- Standard dose
- 1% solution—10 g of powder per litre of water
- Normal use
- 0.5–1%
- Complete disinfection
- 1% after thorough cleaning
- Contact time
- At least 10 minutes
- Application volume
- 300 ml of solution per m²
- Yield
- 1 kg of powder makes approximately 100 litres of working solution
Example: a 100 m² surface requires 30 litres of solution, equivalent to 300 g of Virkon™S powder. When spraying, allow at least 30 minutes of contact without rinsing.
Drinking-water-line application
- Situation
- Line cleaning during downtime
- Dose
- 1% solution
- Situation
- Water treatment in occupied housing
- Dose
- No more than 1 g per litre (1 kg per 1,000 litres)
| Situation | Dose |
|---|---|
| Line cleaning during downtime | 1% solution |
| Water treatment in occupied housing | No more than 1 g per litre (1 kg per 1,000 litres) |
For accurate proportional dosing in drinking-water lines, we recommend the Dosatron D3WL2VF dosing pump.
Fish ponds and aquaculture
Virkon™S has proved highly effective against significant fish pathogens. Research has shown that a dose of 2 g per 1,000 litres of water breaks down in water and has low toxicity. This dose does not fully disinfect the water but conditions it and reduces the amount of virus available for infection; ‘water conditioning’ is therefore more accurate than ‘disinfection’.
Preferably dissolve Virkon™S in a bucket of water and distribute it evenly over the pond or quarantine tank. Switch off UV and ozone equipment before dosing and keep the circulation pump running. UV and ozone may be switched on again once Virkon™S has dispersed.
Demonstrated activity against important pathogens
- Sector
- Pigs
- Effective against, among others
- PRRS virus, PED virus, African swine fever virus
- Sector
- Poultry
- Effective against, among others
- Avian influenza virus and Salmonella
- Sector
- Goats
- Effective against, among others
- Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), according to the authorisation
- Sector
- Dogs and cats
- Effective against, among others
- Canine parvovirus in independent research
- Sector
- Rabbits
- Effective against, among others
- RHD virus
- Sector
- Amphibians
- Effective against, among others
- Chytrid fungi (Bd/Bsal)
- Sector
- Aquaculture
- Effective against, among others
- Significant fish pathogens, including herpesvirus
- Sector
- Horticulture
- Effective against, among others
- Relevant plant pathogens
| Sector | Effective against, among others |
|---|---|
| Pigs | PRRS virus, PED virus, African swine fever virus |
| Poultry | Avian influenza virus and Salmonella |
| Goats | Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), according to the authorisation |
| Dogs and cats | Canine parvovirus in independent research |
| Rabbits | RHD virus |
| Amphibians | Chytrid fungi (Bd/Bsal) |
| Aquaculture | Significant fish pathogens, including herpesvirus |
| Horticulture | Relevant plant pathogens |
Important for the result
Always clean surfaces thoroughly before disinfection because organic material reduces the efficacy of every disinfectant. Use an alkaline cleaner such as DeterBio®, DeterUltra® or Biosolve™ PLUS. Wet all surfaces thoroughly and observe a contact time of at least ten minutes. Allow surfaces to dry completely before animal contact. Prepare working solution fresh; the pink colour is an indicator, and efficacy declines when the solution loses colour.
Pack sizes
Virkon™S powder is available in sizes ranging from 50 g for private use to 10 kg containers for professional applications.
Further information
virkon.nl provides sector-specific dosing tables, LANXESS brochures with complete efficacy data and frequently asked questions. The site is available in Dutch, French and German.
Virkon™S is available through Biosecurity BV, official Benelux distributor. Tel. +31 (0)493 221 063 · orders@biosecurity.nl · Kuiper 14, 5711 LV Someren, the Netherlands.