From boarding facilities and shelters to veterinary offices and mobile pet transport services, animal care facilities are inherently high-risk environments for the spread of infectious diseases. Boarding facilities, shelters, vet clinics, and transport services bring together animals from all over, and when they share air and surfaces, it creates the ideal conditions for disease to spread. As outbreaks continue to occur frequently across the United States, it’s critical for animal care professionals to implement comprehensive infection control strategies that include scientifically proven tools, such as UV disinfection.

Animal Disease Activity Across the U.S.

Since 2024, Aerapy Animal Health has maintained an online disease tracker to help animal care professionals conveniently monitor outbreaks in their region. Last year alone, 2,594 cases of canine and feline disease were reported across the U.S. As of September 1, 2025, there have already been 961 reported cases, including recent outbreaks of parvovirus in San Francisco, Harris County, Texas, and Michigan. Other commonly seen diseases include kennel cough and distemper in dogs, and panleukopenia (FPV), upper respiratory infections (URIs), and calicivirus in cats.

In addition to the health risks that these outbreaks pose to beloved pets and other animals, they can also cause significant operational disruption. A single case of an infectious disease like canine influenza or feline panleukopenia can potentially lead to temporary facility closures, significant revenue loss, reputational harm, and a breakdown in customer trust.

Why UV Disinfection Matters—And How It Works

Infectious disease control in animal care environments isn’t just about cleaning surfaces or isolating sick animals—it requires an understanding of how diseases spread and the use of scientifically proven technology to interrupt that cycle. One of the most effective tools available today is Germicidal Ultraviolet (GUV), also known as UV disinfection.

UV disinfection, particularly UV-C light, is widely recognized by federal agencies such as OSHA, CDC, and NIOSH as a germicidal technology. In its Environmental Control for Tuberculosis guidance, NIOSH (under CDC) specifies design and maintenance standards for upper-room UVGI systems in healthcare environments—spaces with transmission challenges similar to animal care facilities. A more recent CDC/NIOSH fact sheet on germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) emphasizes that correctly implemented UV-C systems are a validated, supplemental engineering control for reducing airborne transmission in high-density indoor settings. Additionally, CDC’s Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health Care Facilities list ultraviolet irradiation as an effective supplemental control recommended by experts for airborne pathogen mitigation (Category IB/IC).

As noted in an Aerapy blog provided by Dr. Erica Tramuta-Drobnis, VMD, MPH, CPH from ELTD One Health Consulting, “GUV uses energy created via UV-C, not A or B radiation, which is much less risky to humans and, when appropriately installed, rendered generally safe.” UV-C disrupts the DNA of viruses and bacteria at the cellular level, effectively deactivating or destroying pathogens before they can replicate or cause illness. This makes UV-C a powerful addition to any infection control strategy—particularly in high-risk environments like boarding facilities, animal shelters, and veterinary clinics.

At Aerapy Animal Health, our UV systems—which have been independently tested, peer reviewed, and published in JAVMA and AJVR—are proven to kill more than 99.9% of viral and bacterial pathogens, including:

• Kennel cough (K9 cough)
• Canine influenza
• Canine parvovirus
• Canine distemper
• Canine coronavirus
• Feline calicivirus
• And more, including zoonotic diseases (those that can be transmitted between humans and animals)

Understanding Transmission: Why Air Disinfection is Critical

The primary way infectious respiratory diseases spread in animal care settings is through the air. In addition to contaminating surfaces, pathogens move on tiny droplet nuclei (less than 5 microns) that can stay suspended for long periods and even travel on dust particles. Many of the most concerning pathogens in animal facilities—including canine influenza, kennel cough, and calicivirus—are small enough (often under 1 micron) to remain airborne and easily transmitted.

This is where UV disinfection offers a major advantage: it continuously disinfects the air by neutralizing pathogens as they circulate through a facility’s ventilation system or as they pass through an upper-room germicidal zone.

Tailored UV Solutions for High-Risk Environments

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to UV disinfection. The most effective systems are those customized to the facility’s unique layout, airflow, and pathogen concerns.

Important Note: Factory-installed UV lamps in HVAC systems are typically designed for coil disinfection and energy efficiency, not for airborne pathogen inactivation. As ASHRAE notes in its Handbook, Chapter 62: Ultraviolet Air and Surface Treatment, disinfecting moving air requires much higher irradiance because exposure times are a fraction of a second. Achieving high single-pass inactivation (such as 99%) demands a properly sized and engineered system that accounts for airflow velocity, duct reflectivity, temperature, humidity, and microbial susceptibility.

Aerapy Animal Health uses proprietary UV analysis software and sizing methods specifically designed for animal care environments, taking into account the wide range of pathogens present.

Our comprehensive UV disinfection offerings include:

• In-Duct UV Systems: Installed inside HVAC systems to provide continuous UV air disinfection as air circulates. These UV-C lamps reduce airborne pathogens throughout the entire facility while also protecting coil surfaces.
• Upper Air UV Units: Mounted near ceilings in rooms without centralized HVAC, creating an invisible germicidal UV zone. These systems use UV-C light to disinfect the upper layer of room air while remaining safe for occupied spaces.
• Mobile UV Units: Portable, vehicle-ready UV disinfection systems designed for grooming vans, animal rescue transport, and other mobile services—bringing the protection of germicidal UV wherever animals travel.

All systems are backed by research and independent third-party testing using stringent protocols, and engineered to meet the needs of real-world animal care environments.

Invest in Proven Protection

For animal care facilities, the financial and reputational costs of a disease outbreak can be devastating. Incorporating UV disinfection from Aerapy Animal Health into your infection control strategy can help reduce that risk and demonstrate a proactive commitment to health and safety.

Want to learn more about how to protect your staff, the animals in your care, and your business’s reputation? Contact us today to schedule a free UV consultation!