News: LEDs
26 November 2025
Silanna UV’s 235nm far-UVC LEDs inactivate multiple H5N1 avian ’flu virus strains
Silanna UV of Brisbane, Australia – which provides far-UVC light sources for water quality sensors, gas sensors, disinfection, and HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) applications – says that its ultraviolet LEDs effectively inactivate multiple H5N1 avian influenza virus strains within seconds, according to recent research by scientists at the University of Siena. The research showed strong viral reduction of up to 99.999% with Silanna’s 235nm far-ultraviolet C (UVC) LEDs, which support applications in public health protection, pandemic preparedness, and agricultural biosecurity.
Avian flu has severely disrupted agricultural markets and food production, posing a major public health threat. Earlier this year, H5N1 outbreaks hit global egg production, leading to shortages and sharp price increases. The virus’s ability to infect humans and other animals has heightened concerns worldwide.
The University of Siena revealed the research results during MEDICA 2025, the world’s largest medical trade fair, in Düsseldorf, Germany at the end of November. The presentation highlighted the far-UVC LEDs’ strong antiviral performance and the broader implications for far-UVC technology in health, safety and sanitation.
Safe and effective technology
Unlike traditional 254nm mercury lamps, far-UVC light (200–240nm) is considered biologically safe within regulatory limits. It cannot penetrate the outer layers of skin or eyes, enabling continuous disinfection in occupied spaces such as hatcheries, food-processing facilities, and clinical environments. Researchers also suggest that microbes are less likely to develop resistance to far-UVC than to conventional antibiotics.
Stopping the virus in seconds
The University of Siena’s Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine oversaw the joint research, conducted at a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory in Italy in 2025. The test results confirmed that 235nm LED irradiation achieves multi-log (up to 99.999%) viral reduction within seconds. These findings position far-UVC LEDs as a next-generation biosecurity solution, reducing viral contamination risks in industrial and public health settings.
Facing the global avian influenza threat
Widespread bird flu outbreaks worldwide underscore the urgent need for scalable, sustainable disinfection solutions to curb viral transmission in poultry environments and safeguard global food supply chains and public health. Silanna UV says that its far-UVC LEDs deliver a fast, safe and cost-effective method for effective disinfection against this threat.
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