The critical role of transport vehicle cleaning and disinfection
Infectious diseases continue to pose significant challenges to the global dairy industry, affecting animal health, productivity, and farm profitability. Salmonella, lumpy skin disease, bovine tuberculosis and foot and mouth disease (FMD) remain persistent threats. Outbreaks not only reduce milk yield and fertility but can also lead to costly trade restrictions and herd culling.
One critical — and often underestimated — pathway for disease transmission is movement between farms. Infectious agents can travel via contaminated equipment, personnel, animal movements, and particularly through transport vehicles used for moving livestock, feed, or milk. Manure, bedding, and organic residues left in transport vehicles can harbour pathogens that survive for days or even weeks, spreading infections from one farm to the next.
Effective cleaning and disinfection of equipment and transport vehicles are essential to breaking the chain of infection. Cleaning with high-pressure water alone is not sufficient, as water cannot dissolve grease residues from skin, feed, and manure.
Foaming products, such as Intra Foamcleaner, are highly effective in dispersing fat in the water thanks to the long contact time of the fine foam, enabling thorough cleaning even when only hard water is available. All organic matter should be thoroughly removed using a good cleaner, as any residue can harbour pathogens and reduce the effectiveness of disinfectants.
When selecting a disinfectant, it is important to choose one approved by the relevant authorities for disinfection of transport vehicles and to apply it at the correct concentration level. Intra Multi-Des GA is a highly concentrated, hospital-grade disinfectant proven to be effective against all bacteria and viruses.
In some cases, transport vehicle disinfection is not just recommended for good biosecurity practices, it is legally required. In the European Union, vehicles transporting livestock from or through areas affected by foot and mouth disease (FMD), Salmonella or lumpy skin disease must undergo mandatory cleaning and disinfection – in some cases, even twice. Drivers must show official records to prove the cleaning and disinfection process was completed in compliance with regulatory standards.
Our advised protocol for equipment and transport vehicles is:
- Dry cleaning – Remove as much material as possible using mechanical and manual methods
- Wet cleaning – High-pressure washing with or without soaking
- Detergent soaking – Use Intra Foamcleaner to remove stubborn dirt
- Wash off – High-pressure washing to remove dissolved dirt
- Drying – Allow surfaces to dry, prevent puddle forming
- Disinfection – Ensure the correct dosage of Intra Multi-Des GA and contact time.
