A. Virkon® Aquatic is the registered trade mark for the specially adapted patented formulation of the most widely tested and approved virucidal and bactericidal disinfection in the world. All Antec Virkons use the Nobel Prize winning Haber Willstatter reaction to harness the separate antiviral activities of oxyzones, fruit acid salts and potassium monopersulphonate, to regenerate activity continuously. They also incorporate a high level of detergent for ensuring cleaning of muddy boots etc in the pig or poultry context. Virkon® Aquatic has been modified so that while maintaining and indeed enhancing its virucidal activities, particularly against fish pathogens, it has reduced detergent activity, which is very toxic to aquatic animals. The fragrance, which is highly tainting for fish is also removed.The indicator dye used is also one which is not banned for food usage in certain countries.

Because of concerns about possible toxicity and tainting in use in aquatic sector, the manufacturer does not support or take any responsibility for any usage of any Virkon other than Virkon® Aquatic in any aquatic usage context.

(NB Initially Virkon® Aquatic was originally intended for use only in fish farms and called "Virkon S for Aquaculture" again in a distinctive blue box. Once it was realized that it had much wider usages in angling, fish-keeping, recreational boating, commercial and recreational diving and, aquatic and hydraulic engineering, indeed any water usage, it was renamed Virkon® Aquatic. Since it has a long shelf life some suppliers might still be supplying the 10kg product with the old label. Such has been the success of the Virkon® Aquatic tablets, however, that all stock has the new label Virkon® Aquatic.)

A. No! Emphatically not. It will not treat fish or shellfish, but it will disinfect hard surfaces, boots, clothing etc, provided they are clean. If used in a fine spray into the atmosphere, a technique known as "Virkon fogging" it will greatly reduce or eliminate airborne pathogens and also percolate through rafters or other areas of buildings otherwise not possible to access.

In addition, if added to the water in which fish are swimming, at high dilution (ca 2-4ppm), on a continuous basis, it will greatly reduce the level of bacteria, viruses and certain parasites which can survive in that water column and thus prevent or reduce levels of potential infection. But it does this by removing them from the WATER not the fish. It is not likely to have any significant direct effect, good or bad on the fish themselves, at these concentrations. Thus no medicinal claims are made by the manufacturer, LANXESS or by Bradan Ltd.

A. Research by The Water Research Centre showed that even at full disinfectant levels, use of Virkon® Aquatic does not affect the efficiency of septic tanks,. However, where it is dripped continuously into Koi systems to maintain a standing level of 2ppm in the water column, it can affect biological water filters if there is no removal and replacement of a percentage of the water (make-up) once a week. Usually make up of 25% weekly is necessary where it is being used continuously to prevent or control presence of Koi Herpes Virus in the water column. Signs that the filter is becoming challenged include increased nitrate build up in the water and excessive foaming. A small amount of foaming is normal and necessary as the detergent present is essential to destroy the lipid envelope of koi herpes virus (KHV), infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISA) and others.

A. Provided the footbath retains its reddish colour it is still strongly virucidal and bactericidal. Once it becomes greyish brown then its activity is failing and it should be emptied cleaned and reloaded with fresh 1% Virkon® Aquatic. Footbath efficacy lasts longer if there is no rainfall into the bath to dilute it. Also if boots are very muddy, the mud should be washed off first. Footbaths are among the most important barriers to infection in fisheries as well as fish farms, and need to be rigorously managed.

A. Concern for the parasite Gyrodactylus salaris, and the KHV, ISA and VHS viruses by all angling countries including UK means that much greater emphasis is placed on disinfecting tackle AND BOOTS. If your veterinary surgeon has no experience of fish he is still well versed in biosecurity for viruses. Ask him to give Bradan Ltd a call to speak to one of our Veterinary Fish Specialists and then he will be able to carry out all the disinfection steps with Virkon® Aquatic that are necessary and issue the all important veterinary certificate.