F10 Super Concentrate disinfectant (F10SC) was administered to poultry continuously in the drinking water at two dilution rates (1:1000 and 1:250). Tissue samples were examined for disinfectant residues using a biological disc inhibition assay at day 35 of the study. No significant residues (P>.0.05) were detected in liver, muscle or kidney tissues at either dilution rate compared with a control group. There was no significant increase in mortality (P>0.05) in the F10SC disinfectant treatment groups over the control group. It is concluded that F10SC disinfectant can be added to the water supplies of poultry and other avian species or by nebulising in an attempt to reduce disease or improve water quality without the risk of producing tissue residues.

F10 Super Concentrate disinfectant (F10SC) is a novel quaternary ammonia and biguanide compound based disinfectant which by independent tests and trials has been shown to be effective against gram negative and gram-positive bacteria, enveloped and non-enveloped viruses in addition to fungal spores. Similarly the disinfectant has been shown to be non-toxic, non-irritant, non-corrosive and biodegradable . Due to both its safety and efficacy F10SC disinfectant has been increasingly used in applications where the diluted solution is inhaled through nebulisation or as an aerosol over-spray (fogging) rather than just as a surface disinfectant. It has been administered through the drinking water to improve the water quality in automatic drinking systems in both broiler and layer operations thereby reducing bacterial challenges during production. It has been used as therapy during outbreaks against infective agents such as Avian Influenza Virus, Newcastle Disease Virus and Infectious Bursal Disease Virus.

Fogging the enclosed air space in commercial poultry houses as well as in setters and hatchers regularly with F10SC disinfectant has been demonstrated to significantly

reduce environmental contamination with Aspergillus fumigatus spores. F10SC disinfectant has also been utilized to treat respiratory infections in both captive exotic birds, birds of prey, and reptiles by nebulisation. It has been used in the reduction of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease infection in African Grey parrots by reducing contamination of the environment with Circo Virus spp. In addition it has been used in the treatment of circovirus infection in combination with avian gamma interferons. Due to the increasing alternative uses of F10SC in the prevention and treatment of disease there is a need to rule out the possibility of tissue residues from continuous oral treatment. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate whether F10SC disinfectant could be safely administered orally to birds over a period of time without side effects or detectable tissue residues.

Fogger used to overspray in aviaries and poultry houses in the presence of the birds.

The trial was conducted under the auspices of the Republic of South Africa's Agricultural Research Council (ARC) at their Animal Nutrition and Animal Products Institute facility at Irene, Gauteng Province. Subsequent sensitivity and tissue analysis testing was carried out at the ARC's Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute's (OVI) Residue Laboratory (South African National Accreditation Service (SANAS) accredited laboratory).