FMD outbreak at Slovakian dairy farm with 3,000 cows
Once again, a large dairy farm in Slovakia has been hit by an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). It concerns a location with almost 3,500 animals in Plavecký Stvrtok, Slovakia, near the border with Austria. The farm belongs to the listed investment company FirstFarms from Denmark, which is active in 4 European countries with dairy cattle, pigs and arable farming.
According to FirstFarms, the now infected location is home to around 3,000 dairy cows and around 600 calves and 150 young cattle. This is the 5th outbreak of FMD in Slovakia in a short period of time. In addition, 2 dairy farms in Hungary have also been affected by FMD. The first infection of the cluster was discovered on 7 March. The new outbreak shows that the spread is still ongoing.
Only cattle infected with FMD, concerns for pig locations
So far, only dairy cattle and other cattle have been affected by FMD. The new source of infection is located far from the previously infected locations, which were within a 10-kilometer radius of each other, except for one. According to Slovak media, the virus may have been transmitted by a person from the Hungarian FMD locations to the Slovakian location. The new infection is causing concern in Austria and the Czech Republic, as the virus is getting closer. In addition, Slovak media are sharing concerns that the virus could also rear its head in pigs, as FirstFarms also has pig locations in Slovakia.
Only cattle infected with FMD
FirstFarms has 5,400 cows in Slovakia, of which 3,000 are dairy cows that now have to be culled. In addition, there are also 2,400 young cattle, some of which are at other locations. FirstFarms also has 18,900 hectares of agricultural land in Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Romania and keeps pigs in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia.
FMD outbreak is causing reactions in other countries
The British government has now banned the import of live cattle, fresh meat and dairy products from Austria due to the FMD outbreaks just across the border. A protection zone around the Hungarian FMD cluster extends partly into Austria. Travellers from Austria are also not allowed to bring meat, meat products, dairy products or food products. This same import ban was previously imposed for Hungary and Slovakia. An earlier import ban on cattle and meat from Germany (where FMD was earlier this year) has been withdrawn.
Head of veterinary services Christine Middlemiss urges farmers to be alert to symptoms of FMD. “We are taking this measure to prevent the commercial import of potentially risky products from Austria. Farmers must take all precautions and report any suspicions immediately to the competent authorities.”
