OPTIclean UV

Farm animal health and welfare has been described as a priority issue in discussions about future UK agricultural policy. Livestock diseases threaten the environment, animal welfare, public health and the economy. Only a limited number of measures developed to combat infectious disease in livestock have been successful and many have a deemed lifespan before resistances are developed. There is an ongoing need for more effective control measures. Current disinfectants are primarily toxic chemical reagents reliant on correct application. Ultraviolet light has the ability to damage the genomic material of pathogens, but causes injury to human skin and eyes. However, Far-UVC light, 222nm wavelength, cannot penetrate the outer (non-living) layers of human skin or eyes, but, because bacteria and viruses are smaller, can still penetrate and inactivate them. Currently used in non-agricultural settings to disinfect public spaces it has shown efficacy against a range of pathogens including human coronaviruses, _Escherichia_ _coli_ 0157, _Influenza_ viruses, Methicillin-resistant _Staphylococcus aureus_ and to reduce overall bacterial count. This study will test Far-UVC efficacy against specific microbes known to affect poultry, and determine effective exposure requirements for lamps in commercial poultry settings. Far-UVC lamps will be mounted on a moving robot platform to irradiate a large area, and control exposure times. Far-UVC trials are currently underway to evaluate its effectiveness for disinfecting small items of dairy and poultry equipment. This project will significantly extend that scope by investigating its possible use for whole house disinfection prior to stocking. This feasibility study will investigate Far-UVC's ability to disinfect a broiler house when applied using a robotic mounting platform, and assess its commercial viability. The efficacy of Far-UVC will be assessed by measuring microbial counts, which can also be used as a proxy for its efficacy against viruses. Recent research shows that very low doses of Far-UVC light reduce airborne human corona and airborne influenza viruses, it can also reduce H1N1 virus counts by \>95%. Whilst research shows that Far-UVC reduces Staphylococcus aureus counts, bacteria are less sensitive than viruses. This study will therefore use a significantly more powerful Far-UVC source to increase pathogen exposure doses. A major chemical disinfection treatment, formalin fogging, is likely to be banned, Far-UVC based disinfection could provide a superior disease control replacement, due to effectiveness against a wider range of pathogens, including resistant bacteria. Whilst it is initially to be used alongside existing chemical disinfection procedures, eventually it could replace them.