Virkon

VirkonS®

Powerful broad-spectrum, multi-purpose virucidal disinfectant, with exceptional safety profile towards man and animals. Highly versatile, use for surface, equipment, water and aerial disinfection.virkonS-2019Virkon 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 forward in best practice biosecurity programmes, Virkon S provides a wide range of applications to commercial livestock producers, veterinary hospitals and farmers.The famous “pink powder formulation” offers the flexible, fast-acting, convenient, one-stop disinfection package for:
  • Surfaces
  • Equipment
  • Vehicles
  • Aerial disinfection
  • Water delivery systems

Terrestrial animals

  • Virkon-S is a broad-spectrum disinfectant/ cleaner for use in an animal research facility. It is fragrance-free and is available in easy-to-use packets of a very quick dissolving granular powder.
  • Virkon-S is an excellent cleaner, used extensively as a vehicular undercarriage disinfectant/cleaner and boot wash during the FMD outbreak in Europe.
  • Virkon-S is perfect for critical animal facilities where a pre-measured amount of disinfectant is desirable for an error-free, reliable disinfecting regimen.
  • Virkon-S is effective against numerous microorganisms affecting animals, including viruses, gram positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi (molds and yeasts), and Mycoplasma.
  • Virkon-S (Potassium Peroxymonosulfate/ Sodium Chloride) is indicated for all your disinfecting and cleaning needs. Virkon-S solutions are stable for 7 days after mixing.

Virkon-S used at 1% will kill:

Canine parvovirus Feline parvovirus Porcine parvovirus FMD

Virkon-S used at 2% will kill:

Aspergillus flavus Aspergillus fumigatus

Aquatic animals – Virkon S Aquatic

VirKon S – Aquatic Tablets

Virkon S Aquatic Low Foam Tablets have been developed for the Koi hobbyist and aquatic industry. Not to be confused with the original Virkon S that is used in the specific world of human and animal sanitization. It is especially made as a water sanitizer for use in the recirculation system only and is effective above temperatures as low as 4 degrees C. In solutions of 1% it can also be used as a surface sanitizer in your pond equipment area. Our hands and pond equipment like nets for example are often one of the biggest carriers/transferors of viral diseases.Virkon S Aquatic does not treat the fish directly but sanitizes the water from all those nasty bacteria and viruses that seem to lurk about the pond especially in the Spring and Autumn.Approximately one 5g tablet will sanitize 500 gallons (2273 litres) of water.Provided there is no evidence of any illness in the fish, for normal sanitization, Virkon® Aquatic should be added at the rate of 5 grams per 5000 litres of water.Add the chosen tablets to 10 litres of fresh water and allow the tablets to fully dissolve, and the effervescent effect to cease. Then introduce the dissolved dosage (tablets must never be added directly into the pond) into the incoming water column either by way of a skimmer or settlement tank so that it can be gradually added to the water as it is filtered. One of the best ways to do this is to make your own ‘doser’. This is a very simple piece of kit to make, all you need is a new clean plastic bucket and then drill a very small hole in the bottom. Pour in the dissolved Virkon S Aquatic and let it run slowly into your incoming water column. Dosing is recommended once a week, this can be increased to twice a week in the higher risk KHV/Virus periods of Spring and Autumn. Please do remember though it is important at the point of weekly re-dosing that you also perform a 5 to 10% water change at the same time using a declorinating product and do make sure your recirculation pump is running the whole while you are treating the pond.Always remember to turn off any UV sterilization system you may have running before starting this treatment. It can then be safely turned back on after six to eight hours.A note of caution there is no point in trying to dip or bath any specific Koi as Virkon S Aquatic is a water sanitizer only and will not treat a fish directly!

Koi fish remedies

500 gram is sufficient for 500,000 liter pond maintenance.VirkonS® Aquatic is a pond disinfectant. It kills pathogens, reduces the bacteria germs (CFU Colony forming units), fights viruses, bacteria and fungi. Koi are usually held in closed circuit systems to ensure good health, many of the skills and knowledge refer to the ability of the hobbyist, to create optimal filtering systems and thus an optimum water quality . In recent years, 2 very serious viral diseases have appeared, which can lead to very serious loss in koi. These are called “Koi Herpes Virus (KHV) and” Spring Viraemia, both diseases among cyprinids. As with all viral diseases, there is no specific treatment available. Biosecurity measurements in combination with supportive measures, as applied in livestock branches, make sure that it does not spread. That is the maximum what can be achieved in this matter. Nowadays many owners of Koi and traders are much more aware of the danger. They feel the need for a form of Biosecurity as it is the only way to protect their often valuable property and safeguard these problems. Biosecurity for Koi owners is based on the same principles as consumptional fishfarming. However, now with the added complication of the closed circuit filter, which can be a haven for all kinds of infectious diseases. These biofilters, however, will be damaged or die when disinfectants are used. To prevent loss of Koi and reduce any virus diseases, we have successfully developed adapted Biosecurity programs. These programs help improve the health and welfare of Koi and are even used in commercial farms.Virkon S ® is what? Several viruses, including ‘Herpes’ form serious threats to Koi owners. Many fish are carriers without showing any signs of this. When these are put in contact with susceptible fish, they can-especially if there is stress, release the virus into the water, leading to infections and high mortality. Independent evidence shows that Virkon is effective against most significant fish disease / pathogens. Recent research has shown that, if Virkon is continuously added to the water of fish farms, with a dosage of 2 grams per 1000 liters of water, Virkon dissolves in the water and shows only very low toxicity. This dose does not disinfect the water completely, such as concentrated disinfectants would, but purifies it and reduces availability of virus infections. It is better to speak of ‘a form of waterconditioning’ as of decontamination or disinfection. A very important feature for use in koi ponds of Virkon is that the level of pathogenic bacteria and some protozoan parasites in the water is greatly reduced. (The bacterial pressure). Studies in the USA with Koi have shown that continuous use of Virkon on carp in water at a dose of 8 grams per 1000 liters of water has no harmful effect on the health of the fish. Virkon is proven highly effective against herpes and Rhabdo viruses. Unlike fishfarms Koi are held in closed circuit systems with biological filters in which water circulates. This makes the continuous dosing with fresh water very difficult. Because different viruses, including “Herpes” are such a big potential problem, “DuPont’s Animal Health Solutions searched for a solutution in cooperation with Biosecurity. A system is developed, which under normal circumstances will give a good water condition at the Koi owner. All this without negative effect on the operation of biological filters or the concentration of Virkon reaching toxic levels.Virkon is essentially a powerful complex formulated virus killing disinfectant for disinfection of aquatic equipment. It is now used effectively in many Koi ponds in Europe and USA to purify the water of different viruses, including ‘herpes’ at a dose of 8 grams per 1,000 liters of water. Because all Koi filters, pond systems and water chemistry are different everywhere, this document may only be issued on a consultative basis.The Purification of the water in koi ponds with Virkon Most koi ponds are equipped with a pump, a microbiological filter and a UV lamp. Before dosing UV and / or ozone components ares to be switched off. After dosing, once Virkon is circulated in the pond water, UV and / or ozone may be turned back on. Make sure that the circulation pump(s) are working, while spreading Virkon.Dosage / Usage: Mix Virkon S ® in a bucket of water and spread it evenly over the pond / quarantine. Switch off any UV and / or ozone equipment. After dosing, once Virkon circulated in the pond water UV and / or Ozone may be turned back on.Preventive use: For a constant lowered bacterial pressure and continuously conditioned pond water dose 1 gram on a 1000 liters of pond water weekly.It is very important to refresh 5-10% of the water volume prior to the weekly re-dosage. Preventive use Spring / Autumn: To reduce the bacterial pressure in a period of three weeks, dose 2 grams to 1000 liters of pond water weekly. It is very important to refresh 5-10% of the water volume prior to the weekly re-dosage.Preventive use in placing new Koi in quarantine systems: Stick to a quarantine period of several weeks. Dose 2 grams to 1000 liters of water at a frequency of 2 times per week. It is very important to refresh 5-10% of the water volume prior to the weekly re-dosage. Preventive use in pond after quarantine period: to reduce the bacterial pressure over a period of three weeks, dose 2 grams to 1000 liters of pond water weekly. It is very important to refresh 5-10% of the water volume prior to the weekly re-dosage. After this period, place the fish in the pond. For persistent viruses and bacteria: In 7 days consecutive, dose 5 gram to 1000 liters of pond water. At this treatment level it is essential that you change 10% of the water volume weekly.Routine: Dose as follows: add the desired amount of Virkon to 10 liters of pond water. Stir until the powder has dissolved and gradually add the solution to the pond water. A dispensing system can easily be made from a plastic bucket where at the bottom a hole is punctured. The solution is slowly released to the water. Make sure that the pumps are operating, so that distribution is optimal. Virkon contains a small amount of lipophilic surfactant, especially active against viruses of external enclosures. This substance can accumulate on the water surface and produce foam over time, especially if the required water changes are not enforced.Warning: Irritating to skin, Risk of serious damage to eyes, Keep out of reach of children, Avoid contact with skin and eyes In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice, Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous wasteHow does Virkon work: Virkon is a unique patented formulation based on a complex system where a number of oxidizing biocides are simultaniously effective on the same physical and chemical components of a pathogen. The addition of a surfactant increases the permeability, the presence of a buffer stabilizes the low pH and optimizes disinfection. Works with organic pollution and is temperature insensitive. The formulation as a powder makes it easy to transport (no ADR) and store.Suspicious Circumstances When there is a suspicion of infection of the Koi Herpes Virus (KHV) or an infection of “Spring Viraemia Virus” in a population Koi, the obviously affected fish need to be removed immediately. A specialist vet must be consulted at this stage. The water of the remaining healthy fish should immediately be dosed 5 grams Virkon per 1.000 liters of water to purify it (see dosage schedule). At this treatment level it is essential that at least 10% of the water is changed weekly prior to the next dosage. Great care and point of attention is that stress with the fish must be absolutely avoided. If these fish seem to stay healthy, water treatment with Virkon can be reduced on both dosage and frequency eventually to zero. Clearly, however, diseased fish should be removed as described above. REMEMBER that Virkon does not treat the fish, IT IS NOT MEDICINE!. It purifies the water only to reduce the infectious virus levels in the water. Therefore there is no point in using a plungebath to treat fish with Virkon.Effects on biological filters Virkon ® will, by its nature, kill bacteria. So this will have an effect on biological filters. However, at a routine weekly maintenance dose, provided that 5-10% of pond water is changed before a new dose added, it should not affect the effectiveness of the biological filter. When a higher dose will be used and / or a higher frequency of dosing, some foam may develop. This is not dangerous. The lipophilic surfactant (hydrophobic) that causes this is essential as part of the antiviral activity. When the foam occurs and this is perceived as a problem, a lower dose may be used accompanied by increased water changes until there is no foam on the water.Given the enormous variety of existing Koi filter, pond systems and water chemistry, we cannot be held responsible for any effect on fish or filter.Users (Koi keepers) have experienced that a good indicator of the use of Virkon at the right level, the water in the pond shows a clean and slightly crystalline appearance. This can be a useful indicator but this effect does not necessarily occur in every pond system.WARNING. Despite the wide experience of safe use of Virkon Aquatic, by the great diversity of pond systems, no responsibility can be taken for any loss related to the use of Virkon. Please note that a disease as “Spring Viraemia of Carp” or “KHV” must be reported, either to your vet or an authority in many countries. Even if you only have suspicions that this disease appears in a pond.