Evaluation of the efficacy of a peroxygen compound, Virkon®S, as a boot bath disinfectant

Methods: After contaminating a boot with pig manure, the examiner either stepped through a boot bath of 1% Virkon®S; stood in a boot bath of 1% Virkon®S for 2 minutes; scrubbed the boot for 30 seconds in a boot bath of 1% Virkon®S; or scrubbed the boot for 30 seconds in a water bath and then stepped through a boot bath of 1% Virkon®S. Untreated, contaminated boots, and boots scrubbed for 30 seconds with water alone, were also cultured. Five repetitions were performed for each treatment. A 75mm2 (0.12-sq in) area was sampled from the sole of each boot before and after treatment. Samples were diluted and cultured. Total bacterial counts per 75-mm2 sampling area were calculated. Mean bacterial counts before and after treatments were compared.