Hungary Faces FMD Outbreak: Government Implements Emergency Measures
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announces drastic measures as foot-and-mouth disease prompts the culling of livestock in Kisbajcs.
Hungary is currently dealing with a significant outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), concentrated in Kisbajcs, where approximately one thousand tons of livestock have been culled to curb the spread of the virus.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visited the affected area on Monday and stressed the urgency of eliminating the infected population, localizing the outbreak, and preventing further transmission.
In a video statement released on social media after his visit, and accompanied by dramatic music, Orbán underscored the need for vigorous containment efforts.
He confirmed that professionals and necessary funding are available to tackle the crisis.
Agricultural Minister István Nagy was also present, as Orbán noted that he is managing the response on-site.
Orbán urged the public to adhere to the authorities' instructions regarding the outbreak.
The Ministry of Agriculture clarified that the Prime Minister did not enter the premises of the Kisbajcs facility during his visit to ensure compliance with biosecurity regulations, which permit only essential personnel involved in the operational response to be on-site.
As part of the containment strategy, the culled cattle are being disposed of in a seven-meter deep burial pit located near Bábolna, approximately 20 kilometers from Kisbajcs.
According to the National Food Chain Safety Office, the disease is highly contagious and can spread with the wind; hence transporting carcasses to distant rendering facilities poses a greater risk than burying them as close to the outbreak site as possible.
Foot-and-mouth disease is an extremely contagious viral illness that primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, buffalo, and wild ruminants.
Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, excessive saliva, and the presence of blisters in the mouth and on the feet.
Although it rarely transmits to humans, its high infectivity and rapid spread among livestock can result in severe economic repercussions.
Once FMD is confirmed in a herd, all affected cloven-hoofed animals must be slaughtered.
This marks the first occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease in Hungary in fifty years.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visited the affected area on Monday and stressed the urgency of eliminating the infected population, localizing the outbreak, and preventing further transmission.
In a video statement released on social media after his visit, and accompanied by dramatic music, Orbán underscored the need for vigorous containment efforts.
He confirmed that professionals and necessary funding are available to tackle the crisis.
Agricultural Minister István Nagy was also present, as Orbán noted that he is managing the response on-site.
Orbán urged the public to adhere to the authorities' instructions regarding the outbreak.
The Ministry of Agriculture clarified that the Prime Minister did not enter the premises of the Kisbajcs facility during his visit to ensure compliance with biosecurity regulations, which permit only essential personnel involved in the operational response to be on-site.
As part of the containment strategy, the culled cattle are being disposed of in a seven-meter deep burial pit located near Bábolna, approximately 20 kilometers from Kisbajcs.
According to the National Food Chain Safety Office, the disease is highly contagious and can spread with the wind; hence transporting carcasses to distant rendering facilities poses a greater risk than burying them as close to the outbreak site as possible.
Foot-and-mouth disease is an extremely contagious viral illness that primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, buffalo, and wild ruminants.
Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, excessive saliva, and the presence of blisters in the mouth and on the feet.
Although it rarely transmits to humans, its high infectivity and rapid spread among livestock can result in severe economic repercussions.
Once FMD is confirmed in a herd, all affected cloven-hoofed animals must be slaughtered.
This marks the first occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease in Hungary in fifty years.
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