Prevention

Animals should be restricted from contact with possible sources of C. neoformans infection such as areas that contain abundant pigeon droppings. Furthermore, the accumulation of bird droppings (especially from pigeons) should be avoided. Pre­vention of C. gattii infections is challenging because it is difficult to restrict contact with contaminated soil and tree bark. Suggested disinfectants for housing facilities include accelerated hydrogen peroxide, potassium peroxymonosulfate, 1.2% sodium hypochlorite, 0.5% chlorhexidine, and phenolic disinfectants, although the latter must be washed off as it irritates the skin and mucosa of dogs, cats, and koalas. C. neoformans is also killed by exposure to moist heat at 121 °C for a minimum of 20 min or dry heat at 165-170 °C for 2 h.

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