Danish Entry and the Role of Hair Nets in Microbial Control
A recent study funded by the Swine Health Information Center’s Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Research Program, in collaboration with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and Pork Checkoff, explored methods to improve biosecurity at farm entry points.
The research, led by Teng Lim of the University of Missouri, compared different decontamination approaches including air showers, disinfectant sprays, and fogging systems. These interventions were tested for their ability to reduce bacterial and viral contamination on clothing, skin, and hair.
While full-body showering was confirmed as the most effective method, a system combining air showers with disinfectant spraying and hair nets performed similarly.
This finding suggests that innovative, flexible approaches can reach near‑equivalent levels of protection as traditional full-body showers, potentially improving compliance and practicality on farms.
Although Danish entry systems and shower-in/shower-out methods remain reliable for preventing disease introduction, they are often difficult to apply consistently due to time constraints and worker compliance.
Researchers emphasize that personalized coveralls and personal hygiene are critical barriers against pathogen entry but point out that neglected factors like worker hair, clothing, and unwashed hands still pose major risks for spreading pathogens.
Key Points
- Study evaluated several biosecurity interventions on farms.
- Air showers combined with disinfectant sprays and hair nets nearly matched the effectiveness of full-body showers.
- Worker hygiene, especially regarding hair and hands, remains a critical issue.
- Simplified systems could enhance compliance without compromising safety.
Author’s Summary: The study shows air showers, disinfectants, and hair nets can rival full-body showering, helping farms boost biosecurity with simpler, more practical systems.