FMD outbreak in Slovakia

The Slovak government has reported foot and mouth disease (FMD) cases in three farms close to the border with Hungary. The outbreak is the first in the country since the 1970s and comes after some cases were reported in Hungary earlier this month. The affected farms are in the Dunaszerdahely district and the Komárno region. Around 2000 animals – including 650 milking cows – will be culled, and “disinfectant fords” will be placed on the roads around the three farms. All Slovak zoos will also be closed as a preventive measure.
Reacting to the new outbreak in Central Europe, the UK government urged farmers and livestock keepers to be “absolutely rigorous” about their biosecurity. Chief veterinary officer Dr Christine Middlemiss recommended farmers to look for any potential sign of the disease and report suspected cases immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency. London has already banned the import of meat and dairy products from both Hungary and Slovakia. In 2001, an FMD outbreak devastated the UK agricultural sector, with around 2000 cases and significant economic losses.