As health agencies tackle the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, a UK manufacturer of emergency water purification supplies is urging that infection control measures be arranged well ahead of any crisis.

Hydrachem, which brings more than 50 years of expertise in water treatment and infection control, is currently providing its Oasis water purification tablets and granules to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and UNICEF for direct use in impacted areas.

The items produce a hypochlorous acid solution upon dissolving, delivering stronger disinfection performance than standard liquid bleach. This makes them well suited for water treatment and surface cleaning in locations where rapid and dependable infection prevention is vital.

The firm notes that the present response underscores a key practical issue in outbreak planning: chlorine based disinfection must not only exist in theory. The products need to be stored, transported, mixed and applied reliably even when infrastructure, access and supply routes face intense strain.

Nicholas Barbieri, Chief Commercial Officer at Hydrachem, commented: "In an outbreak, infection prevention often comes down to very practical questions. Can supplies arrive quickly? Can they be stored safely? Can they be prepared correctly? And can response teams apply them consistently under pressure?"

"Those details matter. Liquid bleach will continue to play an important role in infectious disease control, but long shelf life formats such as tablets and granules should also be part of the preparedness conversation, particularly where transport, storage and supply continuity are major challenges."

While tablets and granules are not a substitute for broader infection prevention steps, they can provide practical benefits in humanitarian and public health settings. Their compact size, stability and extended shelf life can make them simpler to stockpile, move and deploy than liquid options.

Hydrachem says the current Ebola response should spark wider discussion on planning infection control supplies before emergencies arise, rather than sourcing them only after demand has already risen sharply.

Nicholas added: "Infection control preparedness is often discussed in broad terms, but in practice it comes down to decisions made long before an emergency begins."

"Building appropriate reserves of durable infection control formats, including chlorine tablets and granules, is a practical step that can help health ministries, NGOs and humanitarian teams respond faster and more consistently when outbreaks occur."

"This is not about one product or one format being the whole answer. It is about making sure teams on the ground have practical, reliable options that work in real world conditions, quickly."

NaDCC tablets and chlorine based products form one part of a wider infection prevention and control response, alongside PPE, isolation protocols, safe water access, hygiene measures, community engagement and clinical care.

Notes to Editor:

Alongside Oasis water purification products, Hydrachem manufactures a range of infection prevention and hygiene solutions including Biospot and Cert, supporting healthcare providers, public health organisations and humanitarian programmes worldwide.
Hydrachem, established in 1973, is a UK based world leader in effervescent chlorine (NaDCC) tablets with expertise in water purification, surface disinfection and sterilisation. Operating in over 60 countries, the company partners with NGOs, governments and leading healthcare institutions, including the NHS, to combat waterborne diseases, maintain hygienic environments and produce over 10 billion litres of safe drinking water each year.
The company was founded on philanthropic principles to improve access to clean water and help create a cleaner, safer world.
Hydrachem supplies sectors including healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, food preparation and agriculture.

SOURCE Hydrachem