As temperatures gradually rise, pathogenic microorganisms begin to become more active. Animal pathogens will invade susceptible animals via infected animals, airborne transmission, personnel, equipment, vehicles, and other routes, thereby triggering outbreaks of animal diseases. To eliminate pathogenic microorganisms, cut off disease transmission routes, and prevent the occurrence and spread of animal epidemics, it is essential to carry out thorough disinfection in livestock farms. The following ten technical points should be mastered when disinfecting livestock and poultry farms.

I. Personnel Disinfection

1. When outsiders enter the site, they must change into work shoes and clothing or disposable protective suits, wash their hands, and then undergo thorough disinfection in the disinfection chamber for 3 to 5 minutes before proceeding along the designated route.

2. Employees entering the production area must change into designated work attire (including boots and hats) and step into a disinfection pool (or mat) for 3 to 5 minutes before proceeding. Before handling livestock, feed, hatching eggs, or similar items, employees must immerse their arms in a 0.1% neomycin solution for 3 to 5 minutes to disinfect them.

3. Work uniforms (including boots, hats, etc.) that have been replaced must be soaked for 30 minutes in a solution containing 0.2%–0.3% peracetic acid or a disinfectant with an effective chlorine concentration of 250–500 mg/mL. After being washed and dried, they should be exposed to ultraviolet light for 20–30 minutes. Changing rooms must be regularly cleaned and disinfected; for each cubic meter of space, use 28 mL of formaldehyde solution and 14 grams of potassium permanganate for fumigation disinfection.

II. Environmental Disinfection

1. The environment surrounding livestock and poultry houses should be disinfected every 2-3 weeks by spraying with a 2%-3% sodium hydroxide solution or a 10% bleach solution, or by evenly spreading quicklime. The areas surrounding the farm as well as on-farm sewage ponds, manure disposal pits, and sewage outlets should be disinfected monthly using bleach.

2. The farm grounds and roads should be kept clean, and disinfected every 2-3 weeks by spraying a 2%-3% caustic soda solution or a 0.5% peracetic acid solution.

3. Ground surfaces contaminated by excreta from diseased or infected animals should be disinfected by spraying with a 5%-10% bleach solution or a 10% sodium hydroxide solution. For soil contaminated by bacteria, the top 30 centimeters of soil should be turned over, dry bleach should be thoroughly mixed into the soil, and then a 10%-20% bleach solution should be sprayed to moisten the soil before it is compacted.

III. Disinfection of Livestock and Poultry Houses

1. Disinfection of Empty Livestock and Poultry Houses: After thoroughly cleaning and rinsing the livestock and poultry houses, spray a 2%-3% sodium hydroxide solution onto areas such as roofs, walls, floors, and cages. Allow it to act for 1-2 hours, then rinse thoroughly. Once dry, disinfect again by spraying with a 0.5% peracetic acid solution. For empty livestock and poultry houses, fumigation disinfection can also be carried out: use 40 ml of formaldehyde solution or 20 g of potassium permanganate per cubic meter of space, and fumigate for 20 minutes.

2. Disinfection of Livestock and Poultry Houses: Use a 0.1%–0.2% peracetic acid solution, a 0.1% Newjel solution, or a 0.2% sodium hypochlorite solution for spray disinfection. The spraying rate should be 50–80 milliliters per cubic meter. Do not spray directly onto the livestock or poultry. Disinfect 1–2 times per week; during periods of high disease incidence, disinfect 3 times per week; and during an outbreak, disinfect once daily.

IV. Disinfection of Transportation Vehicles

1. At least 50 meters away from the farm area, first use a high-pressure water gun to rinse off dirt from the vehicle’s body. Then, spray the vehicle surface from top to bottom with a 0.1% neomycin solution or a 0.3%-0.5% peracetic acid solution until the surface is thoroughly wetted. Allow it to act for 60 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water. Finally, drive slowly out through the farm gate’s disinfection pool. Alternatively, spray the vehicle surface from top to bottom with a 0.5% peracetic acid solution until the surface is thoroughly wetted, allow it to act for 60 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water before driving slowly into the farm’s disinfection pool.

2. Transport vehicles carrying pathogens must first be disinfected by spraying with a 0.3%-0.5% peracetic acid solution, followed by cleaning with a 20% bleach solution or a 3%-5% sodium hydroxide solution. The above disinfection procedure should be repeated every half hour.

V. Disinfection of Drinking and Feeding Equipment

After scrubbing drinking utensils, disinfect them by spraying with a 0.01%-0.05% neomycin solution, a 0.01%-0.05% potassium permanganate solution, or a 0.2%-0.3% peracetic acid or bleach solution. After disinfection, rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow to air-dry naturally. Disinfect at least once a week.

6. Disinfection of feeding equipment and utensils

After cleaning and scrubbing equipment such as feeders, supplementary feeding troughs, and feeding carts, disinfect them by spraying with either a 0.1% neomycin solution or a 0.2%-0.3% peracetic acid solution. After disinfection, the equipment should be thoroughly rinsed with clean water.

7. Sterilization of Veterinary Instruments and Equipment

The veterinary clinic must be kept clean and sanitary on a daily basis, and subjected to ultraviolet irradiation or disinfection with a 0.2%–0.5% peracetic acid solution at least three times per week. High-temperature-resistant instruments should be cleaned and then boiled for 30 minutes after use. Other diagnostic and therapeutic instruments and consumables should be disinfected by autoclaving or immersion in a quaternary ammonium solution, depending on their type, or wiped with alcohol-soaked cotton balls.

8. Fecal and Urine Disinfection

Liquid manure is poured into the fermentation tank, while dry manure is piled up in the manure storage shed (manure shelter).