Virkon S Disinfectant, South Africa
Powerful broad-spectrum, multi-purpose virucidal disinfectant with an exceptional safety profile towards people and animals. Use it for surface, equipment, vehicle, water and aerial disinfection on farms, in veterinary facilities and in aquaculture.
Choose your application
Virkon S is used across livestock, equine, companion animal and aquatic biosecurity. Select an application for dilution rates and usage guidance.
Aerial Disinfection
Fogging and misting to disinfect the air and hard-to-reach surfaces in animal houses.
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Aquatic Fish Biosecurity
Water sanitising for koi ponds, quarantine systems and fish farms.
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Virkon S for Horses
Stable, tack, horsebox and equipment disinfection.
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Virkon S for Pets
Kennels, catteries, veterinary practices and animal shelters.
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Virkon S for Pigs
Piggery housing, pens, equipment and vehicle biosecurity.
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Virkon S for Poultry
Poultry house, hatchery, equipment and water line disinfection.
View guidance →Why Virkon S defines on-farm biosecurity
Virkon S is the breakthrough disinfectant formulation that defines on-farm biosecurity. With powerful, proven performance against over 500 strains of viruses, bacteria and fungi, including Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Avian Influenza, Salmonella and Campylobacter, Virkon S is selected by governments worldwide for emergency disease control.
Leading the way in best practice biosecurity programmes, Virkon S offers a wide range of applications for commercial livestock producers, veterinary hospitals and farmers. The well-known pink powder formulation is a flexible, fast-acting, one-stop disinfection package.
One product for:
- Surfaces
- Equipment
- Vehicles
- Aerial disinfection
- Water delivery systems
Terrestrial animals
Where it is used
- Broad-spectrum disinfectant and cleaner for animal research facilities. Fragrance-free, in easy-to-use packets of fast-dissolving granular powder.
- Used extensively as a vehicle undercarriage disinfectant and boot wash during the FMD outbreak in Europe.
- Ideal for critical animal facilities where a pre-measured amount of disinfectant gives an error-free, reliable disinfecting regime.
- Effective against viruses, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi (moulds and yeasts) and Mycoplasma.
- Active ingredients: potassium peroxymonosulfate and sodium chloride. Solutions are stable for 7 days after mixing.
Virkon S at 1% kills
- Canine parvovirus
- Feline parvovirus
- Porcine parvovirus
- FMD
Virkon S at 2% kills
- Aspergillus flavus
- Aspergillus fumigatus
Aquatic animals: Virkon S Aquatic
Virkon S Aquatic is developed for koi keepers and the aquatic industry. It is a water sanitiser for recirculating systems, effective at water temperatures as low as 4°C, and is not the same product as the original Virkon S used for animal and facility disinfection. At 1% it can also be used as a surface sanitiser for pond equipment such as nets, which, along with hands, are among the biggest carriers of viral disease.
Virkon S Aquatic is not a medicine. It does not treat fish directly; it sanitises the water to reduce bacteria, viruses and fungi. There is no point in dipping or bathing individual fish in it.
Pond dosing guide (powder)
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| Situation | Dose per 1,000 L pond water | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine prevention | 1 g | Weekly | Keeps bacterial pressure low and water conditioned. 500 g treats a 500,000 L pond. |
| Spring and autumn | 2 g | Weekly for 3 weeks | Higher risk period for KHV and other viruses. |
| New koi in quarantine | 2 g | Twice a week | Keep a quarantine period of several weeks. |
| Pond after quarantine | 2 g | Weekly for 3 weeks | Then move the fish into the pond. |
| Persistent viruses or bacteria | 5 g | Daily for 7 days | Change 10% of the water weekly. |
| Suspected KHV or Spring Viraemia | 5 g | See notes | Remove affected fish and consult a specialist vet. Change at least 10% of the water weekly before the next dose. Avoid stressing the fish. |
Before every weekly re-dose, change 5 to 10% of the pond water using a dechlorinator. Higher doses or more frequent dosing can cause harmless foam; reduce the dose and increase water changes if it is a problem.
How to dose
- Switch off any UV and ozone equipment before dosing. They can be switched back on once Virkon has circulated (6 to 8 hours for Aquatic tablets).
- Dissolve the measured dose in about 10 litres of pond or fresh water. Never add powder or tablets directly to the pond.
- Let tablets fully dissolve and the fizzing stop, then add the solution gradually to the incoming water, for example via the skimmer or settlement chamber.
- Keep the circulation pumps running throughout. A simple drip doser is a clean bucket with a small hole drilled in the bottom.
Aquatic tablets: where there is no sign of illness, add Virkon S Aquatic at 5 g per 5,000 litres of water for normal sanitisation. Dose once a week, increasing to twice a week in the higher risk spring and autumn periods.
Effect on biological filters
Virkon kills bacteria, so it can affect biological filters. At the routine weekly dose, with 5 to 10% of the water changed before each new dose, the biofilter should keep working effectively. Many koi keepers find that pond water dosed at the right level looks clean and slightly crystalline.
Please note: because koi filters, pond systems and water chemistry vary widely, no responsibility can be taken for any effect on fish or filters. Spring Viraemia of Carp and KHV are notifiable in many countries; report any suspicion to your vet or the relevant authority.
How Virkon works
Patented oxidising formulation
Several oxidising biocides act at the same time on the same physical and chemical components of a pathogen. A surfactant increases permeability and a buffer stabilises the low pH to optimise disinfection. It works in the presence of organic soiling, is not temperature sensitive, and as a powder it is easy to transport and store.
Safety precautions
- Irritating to skin; risk of serious damage to eyes
- Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye or face protection
- In case of eye contact, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice
- Keep out of reach of children
- Dispose of the product and container as hazardous waste
Frequently asked questions about Virkon S
What does Virkon S kill?
Virkon S has proven performance against over 500 strains of viruses, bacteria and fungi, including Foot and Mouth Disease, Avian Influenza, Salmonella and Campylobacter. At 1% it kills canine, feline and porcine parvovirus and FMD; at 2% it kills Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus.
How long does a mixed Virkon S solution last?
Virkon S solutions are stable for 7 days after mixing.
What can Virkon S be used on?
Surfaces, equipment, vehicles (including undercarriage washes and boot dips), aerial disinfection by fogging or misting, and water delivery systems in livestock, equine, companion animal and research facilities.
Is Virkon S Aquatic the same as Virkon S?
No. Virkon S Aquatic is made as a water sanitiser for recirculating koi ponds and aquatic systems. The original Virkon S is for animal and facility disinfection.
Does Virkon S Aquatic treat sick fish?
No. It is not a medicine and does not treat fish directly. It sanitises the pond water to reduce the level of bacteria and viruses. Remove obviously affected fish and consult a specialist vet if you suspect KHV or Spring Viraemia.
Will Virkon harm my pond's biological filter?
At the routine weekly dose, with a 5 to 10% water change before each new dose, it should not affect the effectiveness of the biological filter. Higher or more frequent doses can affect filter bacteria and may cause foam.
Complete your biosecurity programme
Order Virkon S from Ecotao
Buy online on the Ecotao Store, or contact us for bulk quantities and advice on dilution rates for your application. Call +27 21 911 5835 or email sales@ecotao.co.za.