Foot and mouth disease in Hungary: animals killed, bans in place, zoo closed
So far, the foot-and-mouth disease virus has not spread from the cattle farm in Kisbajcs where it was identified, said Szabolcs Pásztor, the national chief veterinarian. Experts do not yet know the origin of the pathogen, which last ravaged Hungary in 1973.
Current measures and bans
According to Inforadio, the foot-and-mouth disease that reappeared in Hungary last week, on 3 March, could still only be detected in the cowshed in Kisbajcs. Since then, no new cases have been confirmed, and there are currently no new suspected cases. The affected herd of 1,400 cattle at the Kisbajcs cowshed is in the process of being culled, and a census of susceptible herds is being conducted within a 10 km radius of the farm, with samples taken for testing. The movement of susceptible biungulate animals abroad is currently prohibited at a national level, and a full movement restriction for these animals remains in place in the counties of Győr-Moson-Sopron and Komárom-Esztergom. However, following Monday’s measures, the transport of pigs, sheep, and goats for immediate slaughter has been authorised in other counties in Transdanubia and Pest, with only cattle remaining under full movement restrictions.
The culling of the herd at the Kisbajcs farm is currently under way, with the carcasses being buried at a designated site. Pásztor stated that this is being done in a completely safe manner and in accordance with professional standards. Vehicles may only leave both the farm and the burial site outside Bábolna after proper disinfection.
Orbán: Further spread of foot-and-mouth disease must be prevented
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Monday urged livestock owners to comply with the authorities’ instructions to prevent the further spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
Livestock owners have access to specialists and funding, and István Nagy, the agriculture minister, is overseeing protection efforts, the prime minister noted.
Where did it come from?
It is not yet known exactly how the virus entered Hungary, but it has been confirmed that it is not the same strain as the one that infected Germany in January. It is important to note that the virus can be spread by humans through their clothing or shoes, as well as by prolonged exposure to infected animals. The virus can be present on human mucous membranes and transmitted to susceptible species through exhalation.
However, it is important to stress that the virus is not dangerous to humans, the veterinarian added.
Incubation period and clearance
Pásztor also stated that it would take a considerable amount of time before Hungary could be declared free of foot-and-mouth disease. “The disease, as the name suggests, is highly contagious. The incubation period must be taken into account, as well as other facilities, such as colonies or establishments, that may have been in some way linked to the outbreak site. These will, of course, be identified by the authorities and the animals there will be sampled. The incubation period of the virus is on average 4-7 days, but in extreme cases, it can be much longer, up to 20-21 days. Therefore, we will only be able to responsibly declare that the virus is no longer present in the area after a longer period and once we have the appropriate results,” said Szabolcs Pásztor.
He added that the economic impact will last even longer, as transport bans are causing significant losses, particularly for livestock farmers who rely on exports. These restrictions are likely to remain in place for many months.
Mr Pásztor emphasised that the meat available in shops is completely safe, as these products have undergone all the necessary veterinary tests to rule out not only this disease but also other illnesses.
Zoos also closed
The Xantus János Zoo in Győr has temporarily closed its doors due to the epidemic risk, in order to protect the health of its animals, according to an announcement on its official website.
The Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden announced yesterday that its petting zoo will be closed indefinitely. While the exact reason for the temporary closure was not given, the decision was taken as a precautionary measure.
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It hasn’t spread yet but we can be certain it will.
They don’t want us peasants eating meat so occurrences like this, plus mysterious fires breaking out in slaughterhouses, etc., will become much more common until most people get priced out of the increasingly scarce meat market.
Eat ze bugs!
(But don’t you worry: They will continue feasting on fillet mignons and lobsters and duck confit and lobster. No deep-fried roaches and desiccated worms for them!)