Hungary has confirmed its first foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in 50 years at a 1,400-head cattle farm near the Slovakian border, according to the National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih).
The farm exhibited symptoms in early March, and laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the virus. In response, Hungary Chief Veterinarian Dr. Szabolcs Pásztor ordered an immediate farm closure and launched an epidemiological investigation. Strict containment measures include banning the transport of susceptible animals while herd eradication and source tracing are underway.
Germany recently faced its own FMD scare in January when an outbreak in water buffalo led to costly emergency measures. According to Politico, an estimated €1 billion in lost exports occurred, with trade bans implemented by the United Kingdom, Mexico and South Korea.
