Preventing disease in animal settings involves effective cleaning and disinfection of contaminated surfaces. Properly performed C&D decreases pathogen levels on surfaces and reduces exposure risks. Successful C&D involves remembering and understanding the key principles and steps for the process, choosing the best method, and recognizing any limitations.
Key Principles of C&D
Regardless of the setting, item, or area, ensure the five key C&D principles.
- Clean surfaces before disinfection.
- Use the right disinfection product for the situation.
- Read the product label.
- Give it time to work.
- Keep everyone safe.
Keep in mind these common failures of C&D success.
- The target pathogen is resistant to the disinfection process or product used.
- The surface type (e.g., porous, cracked) allowed the pathogen to persist in the environment.
- Surfaces were inadequately cleaned prior to disinfection.
- An ineffective disinfectant concentration was used.
- The product or process was not used (applied) correctly.
- The necessary contact time was not observed.
- Environmental factors such as organic load, temperature, pH, or water hardness are impacting the selected disinfectant or method.
For More Information
To learn more about disinfection in animal settings, check out the following resources from the Center for Food Security and Public Health (CFSPH):
- Disinfection 101 (PDF)
- Characteristics of Selected Disinfectants (PDF)
- Antimicrobial Spectrum of Disinfectants (PDF)
- Reading Disinfectant Product Labels (PDF)
- Other Disinfection Resources, including staff or client educational handouts