Using Misting & Fogging as Part of FMD & Poultry Disease Biosecurity
Research on disinfectant fogging, regulatory compliance, and integrated biosecurity protocols for livestock and poultry operations.
Misting Systems in Biosecurity Protocols
Transboundary animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), avian influenza and Newcastle disease can spread rapidly between farms if biosecurity is weak. While vaccination and movement control remain the primary tools, correctly designed misting and fogging systems can support biosecurity by applying disinfectants to vehicles, equipment and personnel.
Disinfection Standards & Best Practices
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE) emphasises that effective disinfection depends on using an appropriate product at the correct concentration, with sufficient contact time and coverage of contaminated surfaces (WOAH, 2022). High-pressure or medium-pressure fogging arches at farm entrances can help achieve this by creating a consistent cloud of small droplets that coat vehicle wheels, undercarriages and external surfaces as they pass through.
Fogging Between Production Cycles
For poultry houses, several studies have evaluated overhead fogging of approved disinfectants between production cycles. When applied after thorough cleaning and drying, fogging can reduce residual bacterial and viral contamination on surfaces and in the air (European Food Safety Authority, 2018). However, fogging is not a substitute for manual cleaning, and organic matter must be removed first to avoid inactivating the disinfectant.
Continuous or high-frequency disinfectant fogging while animals are present is generally discouraged due to welfare and respiratory concerns. Instead, many integrators use water-only fogging for cooling and humidity control during production, and reserve chemical application for downtime between flocks or batches.
System Design & Compliance
For farm operators considering misting-based disinfection, key design questions include: which areas require treatment (vehicle entrances, personnel change rooms, crates, equipment); what throughput is expected; and how to prevent run‑off from contaminating water bodies. Systems should be interlocked with access control so that fogging cannot be bypassed without authorisation.
Regulatory guidance also stresses record‑keeping and verification. Logs of disinfectant type, concentration, maintenance and system performance provide evidence of due diligence during audits or disease investigations. When correctly integrated into a broader biosecurity plan—alongside fencing, controlled entry points, clothing changes and vaccination—misting and fogging can help reduce the risk of pathogen introduction and spread.
Key References
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). (2018) 'Evaluation of the efficacy of peracetic acid and other disinfectants for use in poultry houses', EFSA Journal, 16(3), e05204.
- World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). (2022) Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Chapter 4.14: Application of Disinfectants. Paris: WOAH.
Interested in Biosecurity Solutions for Your Farm?
We can take you through compliance considerations, system specifications, and implementation for your specific setup.