A recent scoping review takes a critical look at downtime (animal avoidance periods) as a biosecurity measure in animal production systems ⏳🚜. By systematically analyzing the available literature, the authors assess whether avoiding animal contact for 24–72 hours truly adds value in preventing pathogen transmission.

The findings show no clear evidence that downtime provides additional protection beyond well-established, evidence-based practices such as hand hygiene, changing clothes and boots, and showering 🚿👢. While nasal carriage of pathogens in humans was occasionally detected, actual transmission to naïve animals was rarely demonstrated.

🔍📉 This work highlights a clear gap between policy recommendations and scientific evidence, questioning the practicality and necessity of downtime measures. The authors argue that biosecurity efforts and resources should focus on consistent implementation and verification of basic hygiene practices, rather than enforcing avoidance periods with limited proven benefit.

👏 An important contribution to evidence-based biosecurity and animal health policy.

👇The full text can be found here