WINTER BONUS MAGAZINE 2026

When livestock drinking water is treated using a scientifically validated, stabilised solution such as Peroxsil®, it shifts from being an unseen risk to becoming an important component of effective disease prevention. Ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in South Africa continue to highlight a significant vulnerability in livestock biosecurity: contaminated water sources. Shared troughs, dams, and water points can significantly facilitate transmission, enabling the virus to spread efficiently between animals and potentially between neighbouring farms. Unlike conventional hydrogen peroxide products, Peroxsil® is a specialised formulation stabilised for agricultural applications and has demonstrated the ability to inactivate more than 99.9999% of FMD virus particles in water containing high levels of contamination. In the fight against FMD, biosecurity efforts have traditionally focused on the strict control of animal movement, as well as the intensive disinfection of surfaces and equipment. However, one of the most direct and consistently overlooked transmission pathways may be standing in plain sight: water. As infected animals drink, saliva and oral secretions can contaminate shared troughs, dams, and water points, potentially enabling efficient virus transmission between animals and neighbouring farms. Water as a hidden transmission route Water is the single resource every animal must access daily, making it a shared point of contact across any farming system. In intensive production environments, large numbers of animals drink from common troughs or surface water sources, creating ideal conditions for direct viral transfer. FMD virus present in saliva and nasal secretions is a significant transmission risk, as these fluids can readily carry and spread infectious virus between animals. When infected animals drink, even trace contamination introduced into a trough can contaminate the water source, effectively turning it into a point of indirect transmission. Subsequent animals using the same water are then exposed to infectious virus, allowing infection to spread through the herd. Runoff or effluent originating from infected animals can also enter rivers, canals, or irrigation infrastructure, potentially transporting viable virus downstream over considerable distances. In this way, a localised outbreak can escalate into a broader regional risk. Chlorine-based sanitation has historically been used to manage water hygiene on farms. However, practical use highlights several challenges: • Biofilm protection – microorganisms can form protective layers on trough surfaces that reduce the penetration and effectiveness of chlorine-based disinfectants. • Reduced palatability – concentrations high enough to overcome organic contamination may negatively affect water taste, which can discourage animals from drinking adequately. • Environmental considerations – chlorine treatments may produce residual compounds that raise concerns regarding safety and environmental impact. A validated solution Peroxsil® functions as a strong oxidising agent capable of disrupting cell membranes and damaging the genetic material of numerous pathogens, including FMD virus, E. coli, and Salmonella. After reacting, it decomposes into water and oxygen, leaving no harmful residues and making it suitable for use in livestock’s drinking water. It is important that conventional hydrogen peroxide is not confused with Peroxsil®. Standard peroxide degrades quickly when exposed to light and organic material, limiting its effectiveness under real farming conditions. Peroxsil® is a proprietary formulation specifically stabilised for agricultural water systems. Its stabilisation technology allows the active ingredient to remain active for longer periods, even in troughs containing saliva, feed residues, and manure contamination. Independent studies performed by the Agricultural Research Council at Onderstepoort, evaluated Peroxsil® under conditions representative of commercial farming environments and reported: • Viral reduction – greater than 6-log Drinkingwater: an overlooked biosecurity factor in FMD control www.agribonus.co.za 50 Winter 2026 BONUS