Adherence to protective measures can stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, experts say

(Photo: Pixabay)

Péter Sótonyi, the rector of the institution, highlighted that the virus causes a serious and contagious disease that spreads quickly and easily, is incurable, has no cure, its symptoms cannot be alleviated, and causes serious economic damage. He added that the disease was reported to the university three weeks ago, which immediately provided all its students with theoretical and practical training. According to him, the only solution in this situation is to restrict the movement of infected animals. Workers and professionals on animal farms bear a serious responsibility, he pointed out, and the food supply of the whole of Europe may depend on whether the spread of the virus can be stopped. If it were to spread to wildlife, it could have further serious consequences and make it even more difficult to control the disease. He stressed that the killing of infected animals is an EU legal obligation and is also necessary because the pain caused by the disease cannot be reduced. According to László Fodor, former head of the Department of Epidemiology and Microbiology, it is difficult to determine how the virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease entered Hungary, because it can also spread through the air. Vaccination has its weaknesses, since pigs, for example, are practically unvaccinable, which is why efforts must be made to localize the infection.

According to Miklós Süth, Vice-Rector, Director of the Institute of Food Chain Science, it is still too early to talk about population quarantine, now we need to focus on livestock farms

It is important to disinfect the workers there and change their clothes when they leave the infected area, but those living in the area must also follow the precautions. Miklós Tenk, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Microbiology, explained that the virus is very resistant, it can infect for months, and the manure of infected animals can also transmit the disease. Species susceptible to the virus are also among wild animals, and it must be taken into account that disturbing them can contribute to the spread of the virus.

According to Tibor Kocsner, Secretary General of the Biosafety Board, the virus is most often spread by people out of carelessness

Due to the ease of spread, attention must also be paid to the transport of feed and the movement of vehicles. Veterinarians have a serious responsibility to notice the initial symptoms, and if there are no longer any signs of an outbreak, final disinfection can be carried out. After that, the farm must be kept empty, and only then can animals be kept again. At the national level, however, safety can only be ensured if the disease disappears from Slovakia as well, because the areas under restriction are close to the Hungarian border – he added. László Ózsvári, head of the Department of Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Economics, explained that after final disinfection, the local lockdown and then the protection and surveillance zone can be lifted at least 30 days later. The condition for the trade of animals and animal products is exemption, and according to international regulations, you have to wait 3 months for this. Zsombor Wagenhoffer, executive director of the Hungarian Livestock Breeders’ Association, said that there are currently two infected farms in the northwestern part of the country, but the impact of the virus is nationwide, and the longer-term consequences are currently unpredictable. All energy must be directed to defense now, and restoring market confidence can only follow, he stated.

MTI