István Nagy: the government is establishing an animal health operational team

By: STA Date: 2025. 04. 04. 09:30

The government is establishing an animal health operational team that will coordinate the work of the authorities, defense and security organizations involved in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease, the Minister of Agriculture announced on his social media page on Friday.

Nagy István, Minister of Agriculture (Photo: drnagyistvan.hu)

István Nagy said in a video post that the team will meet on Saturday and decide on further necessary measures. The Minister emphasized that the animal health authorities and law enforcement officers assisting in the fight are continuously working to protect against the epidemic, examining livestock farms, susceptible animals and the spread of the disease throughout the country. Since this is a truly extremely contagious virus, we are also closely cooperating with neighboring countries and international animal health organizations – the Minister emphasized. István Nagy emphasized that four cattle farms are still affected by the infection, and the authorities have not identified any new infected animals and farms so far. “We are focusing our full attention and energy on stopping the spread of the virus. Since it is a virus that spreads very easily, even with the wind, this is not an easy task,” he said. The infected farms have been closed, forced slaughter has been carried out and is being carried out, and strict official measures are in force in the designated zones, he explained.

Disinfection gates have been set up, animals are being vaccinated, and it has been decided to cancel upcoming animal fairs and animal exhibitions

Animals from Győr-Moson-Sopron County and the Komárom, Tata and Esztergom districts of Komárom-Esztergom County can only be transported to designated domestic slaughterhouses for immediate slaughter, and the transit of susceptible animals arriving from and going to Győr-Moson-Sopron County and the three affected districts of Komárom-Esztergom is prohibited, the minister listed the measures. István Nagy confirmed that the government is committed to helping the affected farmers, and that everything is being done to contain the epidemic and reduce the damage. “However, this requires responsible cooperation from all livestock keepers and citizens, let’s work together to prevent this great disaster,” the Minister of Agriculture stressed.

MTI