Question submitted during the webinar What the Flu? Protecting Dogs and Communities From Canine Influenza Virus:
May bleach be used as a disinfectant? if so what concentration? Left on area for how long?
Answer provided by Jason Stull, VMD, MPVM, PhD, DACVPM:
As an enveloped virus, CIV is inactivated by routinely used disinfectants (including bleach – this link provides key details on using bleach for disinfection). It is important to remember that the choice of disinfectants for a facility / home should be based on all pathogens (germs) that are a concern for that location (some of which will be more difficult to kill than CIV and thus require different disinfectants).
For a summary of the spectrum of activity and characteristics of commonly used disinfectants, please consider visiting the following:
2018 AAHA Infection Control, Prevention, and Biosecurity Guidelines, under properties of disinfectants, there are links for information on:
