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Zoos closed, hunting ban introduced, border closed: foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Hungary
Hungary is grappling with a recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), the first in over half a century. The resurgence of this highly contagious viral disease has prompted immediate restrictions and control measures across affected regions.
Outbreak details and response
The initial foot-and-mouth disease outbreak was detected three weeks ago in Kisbajcs. More recently, a new case has been confirmed in Levél, a village in Győr-Moson-Sopron county, leading to the establishment of a 3-kilometer protection zone and a 10-kilometer observation zone around the infected site.
According to Minister of Agriculture István Nagy, all infected animals at the Levél site will be culled to prevent further spread, Telex writes. Authorities are also urging residents with livestock to reduce their stock, requiring them to notify local officials for sampling before slaughter. All markets and exhibitions involving susceptible animals have been banned.
In the districts of Győr and Mosonmagyaróvár, a ban on the movement and grazing of susceptible animals is in effect until midnight on Saturday. A hunting ban has also been implemented, and zoos in the affected area will remain closed. Minister Nagy has assured that all necessary human and material resources are being allocated to eradicate the virus and ensure a secure food supply.
Foot-and-mouth disease: Potential source and international cooperation
Gergely Gulyás, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, suggested that the outbreak may have originated in Slovakia. Just a week prior, the disease was detected on three cattle farms in Slovakia, across the Danube River. Gulyás stated that collaboration between Hungarian and Slovakian authorities to address the threat is “strong”.
Measures and restrictions
Following the outbreak in Kisbajcs, the Chief Veterinary Officer ordered an inventory of all susceptible livestock species (pigs, cattle, sheep, and goats) in domestic farms within the protection and observation zones, primarily encompassing villages in the Szigetköz region. These measures have since been tightened, with domestic animal keepers now required to slaughter their animals by 31 March.
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