Hungary FMD outbreak: update

Hungarian authorities are planning the burial of cattle carcases from a farm near the Slovakian border where a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak was found on March 7. It is the first outbreak in the country in 50 years. The National Food Chain Safety Authority and local veterinary authorities consider burial as the disposal solution with the lowest epidemiological risk. FMD is highly contagious, and transporting carcases to a distant factory for incineration could increase the risk of spreading the disease. Burial will be done in a suitable place near the outbreak area. An investigation is underway to understand the causes and dynamics of the outbreak.
Meanwhile, all international movement of susceptible animals from Hungary has been suspended until further notice. Slovakia has established a 10 Km restriction zone near the Hungarian border, while Ireland confirmed that there have been no imports of Hungarian cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and buffaloes since January 1, 2025. Irish authorities have also suspended the import of susceptible animals from Slovakia and Austria. Outside of Hungary, Germany is also dealing with an FMD emergency after one case was detected in a water buffalo farm near Berlin in early January. So far, no further cases have been found, and all surveillance samples have tested negative.