INFECTION CONTROL IN AN ANIMAL SHELTER Rick Hayman

What is Infection Control? Infection control is the discipline concerned with preventing the spread of infectious organisms It is an essential part of an organisations policies Infection control addresses factors related to the spread of infections Animal to animal Animal to staff and from staff to animal Surface / device to animal and / or staff Among staff / devices / surfaces (environment) These processes include prevention by Cleaning and disinfection Barrier Hygiene (operational, procedural, treatment / intervention) Vaccination Surveillance / monitoring / investigation

Definitions STERILISATION DISINFECTION CLEANING DECONTAMINATION The process of rendering an object or environment free of all living organisms, by heat (dry or steam), irradiation or chemicals. DISINFECTION The process of reducing the number of micro-organisms to a level which is no longer harmful to health. This is generally achieved by use of chemical disinfectants. CLEANING The removal of contaminants including dust, soil, micro-organisms and the organic matter that protects them. Cleaning agents usually have a degreasing property. Always necessary prior to disinfection or sterilisation. DECONTAMINATION The process of rendering an object or environment safe by the removal of microbial contamination. This process will include methods of cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation.

Pathogen Category Cat. 1 An organism that is most unlikely to cause disease Cat. 2 An organism that may cause disease and which might be a hazard (campylobacter, Ringworm, Bordetella, etc ) Cat. 3 An organism that may cause severe disease and present a serious hazard. It may present a risk of spread to the community (Parvovirus, FCV, FIV, etc.) Cat.4 An organism as Cat. 3 but where there is no effective prophylaxis or treatment available (Rabies virus)

Where’s the risk? Animals from a variety of sources carrying / incubating infectious Shelter may have endemic organisms Giardia, Ringworm, etc. Animals subject to stress entering an organisation Potential immune system impairment Incubated disease Increased susceptibility to disease

Key micro-organisms – Cat 3 Diseases and routes of transmission: - CANINE PARVOVIRUS - OROFAECAL Infected faecal matter and vomit (haemorrhagic Diarrhoea) Can persist in environment for weeks Highly resistant to most disinfectants and household cleaners!! FELINE INFECTIOUS ENTERITIS - OROFAECAL caused by infection with feline parvovirus (FPV) also known as feline panleukopenia virus

Key micro-organisms – Cat 3 Diseases and routes of transmission: - FELINE HERPES / CALICIVIRUS Cat-to-cat contact; touching noses, smelling rears, using soiled litter pans, sharing water and food bowls and even bedding FIV, FIP, FeLv, etc.

Key micro-organisms – Cat 2 Diseases and routes of transmission (gastro-intestinal): - SALMONELLA - OROFAECAL (Z) Gastrointestinal spills, contaminated food, bedding and collars, etc CAMPYLOBACTER - OROFAECAL (Z) Contaminated water / food GIARDIA - OROFAECAL (Z) Infected faecal matter / contaminated water Z = zoonotic

Key micro-organisms – Cat 2 Diseases and routes of transmission: - RINGWORM - SKIN CONTACT (Z) BORDETELLA BRONCHISEPTICA (Kennel Cough)

Routes of Transmission (VECTORS) Environmental contact (Kennel / Cattery pen) OroFaecal / Ingestion Food, Water, Surfaces, Grooming Inhalation Skin Contact Equipment / Device Contact Beds, Litter Trays, Leads, Collars, Toys Veterinary devices Bedding

Holding the Fort PHYSICAL BARRIERS ISOLATION pending CLEAR BILL OF HEALTH Animal specific equipment, food and water bowls, leads, collars, etc. Separate exercise areas  OPERATIONAL BARRIERS Do not relocate or allow movement into general populous for (X DAYS) vigilant in identifying disease / regularly assess Staff managing High Risk cases should not handle puppies / kittens  TREATMENT AND INTERVENTION New entrants to be Veterinary examined Commence Vaccination course asap  Treatments for parasitical infections?

SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) HOW, WHEN, WHERE, WHAT to clean?? Animal Change over? Spot Cleaning? Food / Water Bowls, Bedding, etc. Veterinary Environment HIGH RISK / INTERMEDIATE RISK? Puppy / Kitten Block – Intake – Isolation General Population / Re-homing OUTBREAKS???

Some useful recommendations Solid material should be picked up first DO NOT HOSE OUT PRIOR TO DISINFECTION All concrete runs should be disinfected daily Spot cleaning? ONLY where an animal has been resident for 7 days or more Food and water bowls Bedding Foot baths or Overshoes? Veterinary tables and worktops Deep Clean or Maintenance Clean?

Maintaining Cleaning Equipment Poorly maintained equipment and premises can become an infection control hot spot, if cleaning and disinfection is compromised

Maintaining Cleaning Equipment USE OF WRONG COLOURS CAN ALSO TRANSFER INFECTED ORGANIC MATERIAL Isolation to Rehoming Intake to puppy / kitten??

Infection Control is often just being practical Empty buckets, rinse and leave to air dry Make a fresh solution of ANIGENE at 1:50 at the end of each block to keep brush heads disinfected At end of day remove, rinse and leave to air dry Regularly wipe Squeegee and soak in disinfectant trough of ANIGENE diluted at 1:50 At day end rinse, wipe blade and leave to air dry Replace Mop head and wash in machine

What to look for in your chosen product? The following should be paramount when choosing a disinfectant: - A wide range of microbiological activity with supporting test evidence Activity in the presence of organic matter Compatibility with varied materials (metal, rubber, plastics, etc.) Non-senstitising, non-fuming and safe to use Cost economy with simple dilution ratios Wide range of applications Long shelf life in diluted format

Surface Disinfection Range

ANIGENE HLD4V Replaces Trigene Advance Available in: 1000 litre, 200 litre, 20 litre 5 litre and 1 litre Self-Dosing 500ml Trigger Sprays Fragranced or Non-Fragranced Dill, Apple Lemon, Lavender

PROTOZOA / DEEP CLEAN Effervescent Chlorine Tablets DEFRA APPROVED (GO 1 tablet / 1.7 Ltr water) Bactericidal, Fungicidal, Virucidal, Sporicidal Effective against Protozoa Giardia Lamblia in 10 mins (8mg / Litre)

ANIGENE HLD4V Available in: Large wipe – 200 wipes Alcohol Free Suitable for the cleansing of surfaces, all objects, wounds and wiping of endoscopes prior to disinfection ANIGENE Wipes are: Bactericidal, Fungicidal, Virucidal Mycobactericidal, Sporicidal Non-irritant with a 2yr shelf life

AIRGENE FOGGING CANNISTER An aerosol-based disinfectant independently tested to be: Bactericidal Fungicidal Virucidal Unique method of delivery Additional process in infection control program for practice’s Two sizes: 50ml – Up to 40c/m rooms 300ml – up to 150c/m rooms

VETGEL Alcohol Surgical Hand Rub 30 second hygiene prep 1 minute surgical prep Faster action than soap scrubs Available in 500ml and 1 litre cartridge Waterless

CHEMGENE Alcogel For long lasting skin disinfection containing 70% Ethanol extremely effective on previously cleaned hands The gel gently dries, inhibiting alcohol evaporation to maintain a long contact time for better disinfection results Easy to use and ideal for "on the move" applications where soap and water are not readily available Available in easy to use 50ml belt attached bottle Swift hand disinfection between patients

Any questions?