What does an effective sanitation program include?

An effective sanitation program is comprehensive and integrates multiple aspects of cleanliness to ensure a safe environment for laboratory animals. Cleaning plus sanitizing is an essential combination, as cleaning involves the removal of dirt, debris, and organic matter, while sanitizing reduces the number of microorganisms to safe levels. This dual approach helps to minimize the risk of disease and contamination, promoting the health of the animals and ensuring reliable research outcomes.

While cleaning measures are important, they are not sufficient on their own to maintain sanitation standards. Simply cleaning without a subsequent sanitization step leaves the environment vulnerable to pathogens that could adversely affect the animals. Additionally, sanitizing after specific activities like breeding is valuable, but it doesn't encompass the full scope of what an effective sanitation program should achieve. Focusing solely on disinfecting ignores the necessary step of cleaning, which is vital for effective microbial control. Therefore, the integration of both cleaning and sanitizing practices is crucial for a robust sanitation program within laboratory animal care.