Animal and Veterinary Facility Decontamination 

Animal Facility/Veterinary Decontamination

Infectious diseases and parasitic agents, such as rodent Pinworm infestations, are common in Veterinary Centres and Animal Research Facilities. Infections and infestation can be costly in terms of lost research, productivity, population destruction, treatment, time and labour, facility decontamination, and reputation. Medication scheduling, equipment sterilization and facility remediation must be coordinated tightly to ensure successful treatment and reduction in possible future infestations.

The best solution for Pinworm control

Treatments such as ivermectin and fenbendazole can kill pinworms but not their eggs. Pinworm eggs can survive for weeks outside a host, are easily spread due to their stickiness and robustness, and can contaminate unaffected areas. The pinworm eggs can also become airborne and be transferred between spaces via the HVAC system onto equipment and cages. Therefore, thorough facility cleaning and decontamination are critical to ridding a facility of infection and reducing future Infestation.

Published research from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2014) shows that chlorine dioxide gas is effective against pinworms and their eggs. Of the three validated effective treatments for pinworm eggs, the first two are not viable in facility decontamination (Ethylene oxide and dry heat treatment). As part of a full remediation scope of works and working closely with the client’s medication schedule, Biosafety Pty Ltd uses a multi-staged approach to clean and decontaminate primary areas to rid facilities of pinworm eggs. We can work with relocating treated animals from dirty to clean and then following the process again in the various dirty areas. We have completed many projects in Australia; some of these facilities are still pinworm-free over 5 years later.

Cleaning and disinfection of specific Pathogen Free (SPF) and Gnotobiotic Facilities are also available.