Far-UVC Light Annihilates Avian Flu Virus in Seconds, New Research Confirms

BRISBANE, Australia – November 25, 2025 – A breakthrough in light-based disinfection technology is offering a powerful new weapon against the H5N1 avian influenza virus, a persistent threat that has ravaged global poultry populations and continues to pose a public health risk. Recent research from the University of Siena has validated that specialized Far-Ultraviolet C (Far-UVC) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) from Australian semiconductor firm Silanna UV can inactivate multiple strains of the H5N1 virus with up to 99.999% effectiveness in mere seconds.

The findings, presented at the MEDICA 2025 medical trade fair in Germany, position this technology as a critical tool for biosecurity in agriculture and a potential game-changer for pandemic preparedness. Unlike conventional germicidal UV light, which is hazardous to humans, this specific wavelength of Far-UVC can be operated continuously in occupied spaces, heralding a new era of automated, proactive sanitation.

A Costly and Enduring Viral Threat

The need for innovative biosecurity solutions has never been more urgent. The current global clade of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has led to unprecedented devastation. Since 2022, the virus has forced the culling of over 169 million farmed birds in the United States alone, with egg-laying hens accounting for over three-quarters of the losses. This has triggered severe disruptions in the food supply chain, causing egg shortages and sharp price increases that have cost American consumers an estimated $14.5 billion in the past year.

The economic fallout extends to massive government outlays, with the U.S. government spending nearly $2 billion on response efforts, including indemnifying farmers for their losses. The threat, however, is not purely economic. H5N1 has demonstrated a worrying ability to jump the species barrier, spreading from wild birds to poultry, and more recently, to dozens of mammal species, including U.S. dairy cattle. While human cases remain sporadic and are largely confined to individuals with direct exposure to infected animals, the World Health Organization has tracked nearly 1,000 cases and over 470 deaths globally since 2003, highlighting the virus's lethal potential if it were to adapt for wider human-to-human transmission.

The Science of Safe Disinfection

Traditional disinfection methods in high-risk environments like poultry farms rely on chemical cleaning and strict access protocols. While germicidal UV light from 254nm mercury lamps is a known disinfectant, its use is limited to unoccupied spaces, as direct exposure can cause skin cancer and severe eye damage. Silanna UV's technology circumvents this critical limitation by operating in the Far-UVC spectrum.

The 235nm wavelength light produced by the company's LEDs has a unique physical property: it is strongly absorbed by proteins and other biological molecules. This means it cannot penetrate the protective outer layer of dead cells on human skin or the tear layer of the eye to reach sensitive living cells beneath. For a microscopic virus or bacterium, however, this shallow penetration is more than sufficient to pass through its outer shell and damage its DNA or RNA, rendering it harmless and unable to replicate.

This safety profile is supported by a growing body of scientific evidence and evolving regulatory standards. In 2022, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), a key standards-setting body, significantly increased the daily exposure limits for Far-UVC light. This decision validated its safety for continuous use in occupied areas when deployed within established thresholds, paving the way for technologies that can constantly sanitize air and surfaces without interrupting human or animal activity.

Validated Efficacy and Market Feasibility

The recent validation from the University of Siena provides the clinical proof needed to move this technology from concept to application. Conducted in a high-containment Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory in Italy, the research confirmed that Silanna's 235nm LEDs achieved a multi-log viral reduction - killing up to 99.999% of the H5N1 virus - within seconds of exposure. This rapid, high-efficacy action is critical for preventing transmission in dynamic environments.

The primary market is agricultural biosecurity, where the economic case is compelling. While conventional UVC is already used to disinfect water lines on farms, Far-UVC opens the door to disinfecting the air and surfaces in hatcheries, breeder farms, and processing facilities without removing valuable livestock or personnel. Preventing a single outbreak, which can lead to the culling of an entire flock and costly facility decontamination, would easily justify the investment in a continuous disinfection system.

This approach is gaining traction across the agricultural sector. Other companies are already deploying similar Far-UVC systems in pig farms to combat airborne diseases like Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS). The consensus is that adding a layer of automated, continuous disinfection is a more scalable and potentially more effective solution than expensive air filtration retrofits, which can cost over $1 million for a large facility.

Beyond the Farm: The Future of Continuous Sanitation

While protecting the global food supply is a monumental achievement, the implications of safe, continuous UV disinfection extend far beyond the henhouse. The successful inactivation of a resilient pathogen like H5N1 serves as a powerful proof-of-concept for its effectiveness against a wide range of airborne viruses and bacteria, including seasonal influenza and coronaviruses.

This technology could fundamentally shift the paradigm of public health safety from reactive, intermittent cleaning to proactive, persistent sanitation. In healthcare settings, Far-UVC fixtures could be installed in patient rooms, operating theaters, and waiting areas to dramatically reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Similarly, deploying this technology in schools, public transit, and office buildings could help mitigate the spread of seasonal illnesses and curb the impact of future pandemics.

As the world continues to grapple with the threat of zoonotic diseases and the vulnerabilities in our supply chains, innovations that provide a persistent, automated, and safe layer of defense are no longer a luxury. By providing robust scientific validation against one of the world's most pressing agricultural and public health threats, Silanna UV's technology demonstrates a viable path toward a future where our most critical spaces are continuously self-sanitizing.