Foot-and-mouth disease has spread from Hungary to Slovakia. Blame the wind
The State Food and Veterinary Administration of the Republic of Slovakia reports 3 outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The cases have been recorded in cattle farms with over 2000 head of cattle in the southern part of Slovakia, close to the Hungarian border. One outbreak of FMD has been detected in the protection zone, which was declared due to a case in Hungary at the beginning of March this year, on a dairy cow farm close to the town of Győr and the Slovakian border. Two other cases have been detected downstream on the Danube, in the district of Dunajec Streda, one with 650 dairy cows and the other with 670 cattle. New protection zones of 10 km have been established around these outbreaks and disease control measures are in place.
„Slovakian colleagues have identified strong prevailing winds from the Hungarian side as the presumed cause of virus transmission. It is known that the disease can be spread by air and water, so this is a very real possibility. Following the outbreak of FMD virus detected in Hungary, protective measures were applied at the Slovakian border and the movement of cloven-hoofed animals was suspended. However, the outbreak in Slovakia still occurred. The new findings confirm the seriousness of the situation in Europe and the importance of implementing protective measures," said Vaidotas Kiudulas, Chief Veterinarian of the Republic of Lithuania.
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious and rapidly spreading viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, and deer.
„We make every effort to prevent the emergence of these diseases in Lithuania, and we actively talk and educate livestock keepers on the application of biosecurity. The VMVT has already banned events with cloven-hoofed farm animals: cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, alpacas and llamas. Animal transporters are obliged to ensure that vehicles entering Lithuania from third countries or other European Union (EU) Member States, which have transported or will transport farmed animals to third countries or other EU Member States, are cleaned, washed and disinfected using authorised veterinary biocidal products active against foot-and-mouth disease agents. The drivers of such vehicles shall also be accompanied by a document to that effect. We urge all animal keepers and transporters to take this situation very seriously and to behave in a particularly responsible manner,“ – reminded V.Kiudulas.
Similar articles
Video
