A video capturing disturbing footage from a makeshift burial site near Hegyeshalom has sparked significant concerns amid an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Hungary.

The video, reportedly filmed with a mobile phone, shows cattle carcasses allegedly disposed of in violation of existing health regulations, according to Judit Földi, a member of parliament from the Democratic Coalition.

Földi highlighted that it appears the remains of cattle, culled due to the outbreak, were improperly buried, presenting a severe risk to public health and the environment.

Földi has raised several questions regarding the situation, emphasizing a lack of proper containment, oversight, and disinfection measures.

The representative called attention to the implications for local residents’ health, particularly concerning groundwater safety, as the area reportedly lacks a developed drinking water supply network.

"Where are the authorities?

Why isn’t there police presence around the burial site?" she queried during a social media briefing, indicating plans to question Agriculture Minister István Nagy in parliament about the issue.

The National Chief Veterinarian also responded to the situation, stressing the importance of adhering to animal health regulations to contain the spread of the viral disease.

Szabolcs Pásztor stated that unauthorized individuals should not enter designated areas affected by the outbreak.

He asserted that the management of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Levéli is proceeding according to established protocols and that the disposal of culled animals is ongoing in the designated location.

Pásztor elaborated that the decomposition process for the buried carcasses involves anaerobic breakdown, resulting in the generation of gases and liquids.

He explained that the site was equipped with straw to absorb runoff from the decomposing remains to mitigate potential environmental impacts.

He assured that disinfection procedures have been consistently implemented throughout the management of the carcasses to ensure public safety.

Additionally, measures have been taken to increase security around the disposal site to prevent unauthorized access in light of the reported trespassing incidents.

Pásztor emphasized that complete compliance with health regulations is critical for effectively managing the outbreak and warned that individuals who breach restricted areas may face legal repercussions, including imprisonment.

The Agriculture Minister, Nagy, further indicated that the Hungarian government is fully committed to combating the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, mobilizing all necessary resources to halt the virus's spread.

He mentioned that inspections of nearly all farms across the country are being conducted and expressed a desire for each affected farm to have its own veterinarian to prevent disease transmission between farms.

In light of the outbreak, traffic flow at numerous border crossings between Hungary and Austria has been suspended since Saturday, with travelers advised to check official police communications for updates on waiting times and border conditions.

Authorities stress the importance of cooperation from farmers to share any disease-related information, as concealment could lead to widespread impacts on livestock health and economic ramifications for the sector.