Foot-and-mouth disease has appeared in Hungary

By: STA Date: 2025. 03. 07. 09:00

The laboratory of the National Food Chain Safety Authority (Nébih) has identified the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus on a cattle farm in Kisbajcs. The national chief veterinarian ordered immediate official measures to prevent the spread of the disease, which causes serious economic damage. The highly contagious disease has reappeared in Hungary after more than 50 years.

(Photo: Pixabay)

The classic symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease appeared on a farm with 1,400 cattle in early March. The presence of the pathogen was also confirmed by the Nébih laboratory, which is why Dr. Szabolcs Pásztor, the national chief veterinarian, immediately ordered the closure of the farm and the initiation of an epidemiological investigation. In order to prevent the further spread of the disease, extremely strict official measures are being implemented, including a ban on the transport of susceptible live animal species.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects cloven-hoofed animals (e.g. cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, buffalo, wild ruminants)

The main symptoms of the disease include fever, loss of appetite, salivation and the appearance of blisters in the mouth and on the ends of the feet. Foot-and-mouth disease is very rarely transmitted to humans, but due to its extremely high contagiousness and rapid spread in livestock, its appearance has serious economic consequences. Infected animals cannot be treated, so if the disease is confirmed in even one animal on a farm, all cloven-hoofed animals must be eliminated. The eradication of the herd and the detection of the source of infection are in progress. The most important thing is that all owners of species susceptible to the disease should pay special attention to complying with disease control regulations and the strict official measures imposed, and report any illness of their animals to their veterinarian immediately!

Nébih

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