UK Farms and Bird Flu: How Pressure Washers and Vacuums can stop the spread.

As UK farmers continue to face turbulence, the need for safeguarding farms against contagious diseases like bird flu is increasingly important. Despite this need, the UK is still seeing increased outbreaks of the virus in recent months, jeopardising the livelihoods of farmers, the economy, and overall public health.

Due to the rising bird flu cases threatening poultry health and biosecurity, being adaptable, and exploring tools that can stop the spread of the disease is critical for farmers. Among these tools, high-quality pressure washers and vacuums are emerging as indispensable allies in maintaining stringent hygiene standards within a farming environment.
 

Understanding Bird Flu and its Impact on UK farms

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly referred to as bird flu, is a virus that primarily affects bird species (hence the creative name). When a farm gets a positive test for bird flu, it can be devastating, not just for the farm itself, but for any farms with a 10km radius.

The virus spreads easily via bird droppings, and contaminated feed or equipment, and UK farms (which contribute significantly to the economy) risk needing to cull entire flocks in the event of an outbreak. Proactive measures are needed to stop the disease at its source. Outbreaks of Bird Flu on a farm often lead to:
 

• Mass culling of poultry to limit viral spread.
• Observation zones for other farms within a 10km radius around the affected site, massively disrupting localised supply chains.
• Huge financial losses for farmers and any nearby economies (farm shops, restaurants etc).

The prevention of bird flu hinges on robust farm hygiene, limiting the disease’s transmission through equipment, clothing, and even airborne particles.
 

Pressure Washers: The First Line of Defence against Bird Flu

Pressure washers are high-powered cleaning tools that remove stubborn dirt, organic matter, and pathogens from surfaces. Their role in preventing bird flu is multifaceted:

Forcefully Clean Surfaces

Farm structures that house animals like barns, sheds, coops, and surrounding equipment, accumulate organic waste through animal contact and everyday activity around the farm. This organic waste is a breeding ground for pathogens and can easily spread bird flu. Pressure washers provide quick and effective surface cleaning/disinfecting, which can prevent the build-up of any infected materials.

Vehicle Cleaning

Farm vehicles entering the farm can become effective bird flu delivery systems, especially as you don’t always know where they’ve been or what they have on their tyres. Having a mobile pressure washer situated at key entrances to the farm allows you to effectively wash/decontaminate the wheels of any entering vehicles and stop bird flu in its tracks. Using a pressure washer for this is advantageous over simply disinfecting, as it blasts away dried-on mud that may be contaminated. Skipping this step, or simply disinfecting the wheels, allows the dried-on mud to come loose as the vehicle travels, leaving a trail of potentially contaminated materials around the farm. V-TUF offer several bowser pressure washers that can used be in areas without a direct water supply for this purpose.

Hot Water for Effective Cleaning

Many modern pressure washers offer options for hot water cleaning, which is highly effective in eliminating viruses. Hot water, combined with appropriate detergents, provide a potent combination for disinfection, killing the virus and sterilising surfaces where cold water may fall short.

View V-TUF’s full range of Hot water pressure washers

Keep Wild Birds at Bay

Wild birds play a huge role in the spread of bird flu and are much harder to control than domestic poultry. As they are also susceptible to the virus, wild birds can spread bird flu to farms directly, either through contact with a flock, or through dropped faeces. The easiest way to limit this impact, is to take steps to make your property as unattractive to wild birds as possible.
 

• Clean up spilled animal feed: Animal feed spillage is almost inevitable on a working farm, but leaving feed on the ground can lead to wild birds flocking in for a quick meal. Cleaning up the spilled feed with either a pressure washer or high-powered vacuum can remove this temptation and keep birds away.
• Clean rooves of moss and debris: Wild birds are often attracted by mossy rooves when foraging for roosting materials, particularly during nesting seasons. By blasting off the moss with a high-power pressure washer, it encourages wild birds to look for materials elsewhere, limiting the viral spread.
• Blast away bird droppings: Wild bird poo easily spreads viruses like bird flu, so getting rid of it should be a priority. Powerful pressure washers can help to clean large surfaces and stop chickens and other domestic birds from coming into contact.
• Portability and Customisation No two farms are alike, but many pressure washers come with attachments that make them adaptable for cleaning diverse areas, from animal pens, barns and sheds. This versatility ensures every inch of the farm can easily and effectively be sanitised.

Adjustable nozzles allow farmers to switch between high-pressure cleaning for equipment and low-pressure cleaning for more delicate surfaces.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning

Using pressure washers reduces the need for harsh chemicals, making them a sustainable choice that aligns with environmentally conscious farming. Reducing the need for chemicals can also prevent impacting other organic life around the farm such as other livestock or crops. Many modern pressure washers are designed for minimal water usage, a critical feature during times of water scarcity.

Pressure Washers tips

 

• Pre-clean surfaces to remove loose debris.
• Use safe detergents designed for agricultural biosecurity.
• Use hot water whenever possible for greater cleaning and apply disinfectant solutions.
• Regularly maintain and decontaminate the pressure washer to prevent internal contamination.

The full range of V-TUF’s farm-ready pressure washers can be found here.
 

Vacuums: Beyond Dust Extraction

Although pressure washers provide a great cleaning solution for any external cleaning needs, using them indoors can often hinder progress by splashing/spraying, which distributes dirt and contaminated water further within a confined space.

For internal use, high-efficiency vacuums, particularly industrial-grade ones, are crucial in controlling the spread of bird flu in poultry farms.

Here’s how they can help stop the spread: 
 

• Removing Dust and Droppings: Bird flu can spread through contaminated dust particles, or on infected feathers or feed. Quality industrial vacuums are equipped to handle large volumes of wet and dry waste, effectively removing these particles before they pose a risk.
• Adequate Filtration: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in vacuums capture microscopic particles, ensuring that viruses are trapped and contained, ensuring a cleaner environment within chicken coops and poultry houses. 
• Waste Disposal Protocols: Modern vacuums are designed to securely contain waste, allowing safe disposal off-site, without re-contaminating the farm environment.

 

Tips when buying/using farm vacuums:

 

• Invest in models with certified HEPA filtration.
• Empty and disinfect the vacuum regularly.
• Use specific attachments for different surfaces to ensure thorough cleaning.
• Consider battery-operated models for easier outdoor use.
• Ensure that farm personnel use personal protective equipment (PPE) while vacuuming high-risk areas to avoid further virus distribution.

The full range of V-TUF’s farm-ready vacuums can be found here.
 

Strengthen Your Defences Against Bird Flu

It’s no secret that the hard-working farms across the UK are a vital part of the nation’s economy and food supply. Reliably keeping protected against bird flu and minimising the spread as much as possible requires proactive measures and vigilant cleaning strategies.

Pressure washers and vacuums can be indispensable tools in this battle when used correctly, offering a dual approach to thorough cleaning and disinfection. By implementing these technologies within their daily operation, UK farmers can stay one step ahead of the virus, ensuring a healthier, safer, and more productive future for all. Want to know more about the best pressure washers and vacuums available to crack down on bird flu? Need help selecting the right cleaning tools for your farm?

Get equipped with the full range from V-TUF here. here.