Approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration the Z-71 Microbe Shield product kills pathogens by mechanical rather than chemical action making it extremely effective over time.
Apiam managing director Chris Richards said the product after extensive research over 10 years, was effective against a range of pathogens for up to 30 days.
“Laboratory tests are currently progressing to establish the duration of protection the Z-71 Microbe Shield product will have against a COVID-19 surrogate,” Dr Richards said.
“Apiam has demonstrated 30 days pathogen protection in its field studies in commercial piggeries against a similar coronavirus that causes high mortality in young pigs.
“Both mechanical and chemical sanitisers will kill most pathogens pretty much straightaway but the fact that it has been tested to be effective against common pathogens for up to 30 days on surfaces is a major breakthrough.”
The company acquired distribution rights in November last year because of the disinfectant technology initially to sanitise piggeries, poultry sheds and livestock systems and for use in piggery biosecurity programs because it had proven effective against the African Swine Fever virus.
African Swine Fever is a contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs. There is no vaccine and it kills more than 80 per cent of the pigs it infects.
On December 11 last year, the Federal Government announced $66.6 million of funding to address the immediate threat of the disease, which has recently been reported as close as Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.
Dr Richards said there had been strong demand from both Apiam clients and the greater community, and the company was providing fogging services to assist other essential businesses and workplaces to improve biosecurity and hygiene systems.
He said they currently had plenty of stock and were expecting additional supplies of both Z-71 Microbe Shield and Zoono’s hand sanitiser in the coming weeks, available through Apiam clinics and www.countryvet.com.au
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