Epidemic (animal)

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. So far, experts do not know where the pathogen, which last ravaged Hungary in 1973, came from.

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 case has been confirmed and there are currently no new suspected cases. The affected herd of 1,400 cattle at the Kisbajcs cowshed is being culled and is in the process of being culled, and a census of susceptible herds is being made in a 10 km radius around the farm, with samples taken for testing. The movement abroad of susceptible biungulate animals is currently prohibited nationally, 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 the other counties of Transdanubia and Pest, with only cattle remaining under the full movement restriction. The dismantling of the herd at the Kisbajcs plant is currently under way, with the carcasses being buried at a site set up for the purpose, which Pásztor said was being done in a completely safe manner and in accordance with professional standards. Vehicles can only leave both the farm and the burial site outside Bábolna after proper disinfection.

Orbán: Further spread of foot-and-mouth disease must be blocked

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Monday appealed to livestock owners to take heed of the instructions of the authorities on how to prevent the further spread of foot-and-mouth disease.Livestock owners have access to specialists and funding, and Istvan Nagy, the agriculture minister, is directing protection efforts, the prime minister noted.

Where did it come from?

It is not yet known exactly how the virus entered Hungary, but it is certain 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, but also by being around infected animals for a long period of time, for example, and the virus can be present on their mucous membranes and be transmitted to susceptible species by exhalation. However, it is important to stress that the virus is not dangerous for humans,” the veterinarian added. Incubation period, clearance He also said that it would be a long time before Hungary’s freedom from foot-and-mouth disease could be established. “The disease, as the name suggests, is indeed highly contagious. The incubation period must also be taken into account, as well as other facilities – colonies or establishments – that may have been in some way linked to the outbreak site. These will of course be detected by the authorities and the animals there sampled. The incubation period of the virus is on average 4-7 days, but in extreme cases it can be much longer, 20-21 days, so we will only be able to responsibly say that the virus is no longer present in the area after a longer period and only after we have the appropriate results,” said Szabolcs Pásztor.He said that the economic damage will take even longer, as the transport bans are causing a lot of damage to the trade, especially to livestock farmers working for export. These restrictions are likely to remain in place for many months to come. Mr Pasztor stressed that the meat available in the shops is completely safe and that these products have undergone all the veterinary tests to rule out not only this disease but also other diseases.

Zoos have also closed

The Xantus János Zoo in Győr has temporarily closed its doors due to an epidemic risk in order to protect the health of its inhabitants, its official website announced.The Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden announced yesterday that its petting zoo will be closed indefinitely. The exact reason for the temporary closure was not given, but the decision was taken as a precautionary measure.