An article or material is applied to the environment of the body of an animal (including humans) to provide both absorbency and antimicrobial activity. The article or material may comprise a water absorbent material; and a composition that reacts with water to produce molecular iodine. The composition provides a local concentration (in the water) of at least 10 parts per million iodine in water carried by the material (that is actual water supported by the water absorbent material) when the material has 5% by weight of water present in the water absorbent. The material may be a flowable material, or the article may be diaper, sanitary pad, bandage, adhesive pad or wrap for an animal.