Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak leads to border closures in Europe
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What to know about the foot-and-mouth outbreak closing borders
- Central Europe is facing a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak among cattle, leading to border closures and the culling of thousands of animals.
- The first case was detected in Hungary in early March 2025, and the virus quickly spread to Slovakia, marking the first outbreak in both countries in over 50 years.
- The highly contagious virus poses little threat to humans but severely impacts cloven-hoofed animals. It spreads through animal contact, contaminated surfaces, and even wind.
- Authorities are implementing strict containment measures, including border closures, disinfection of farms and vehicles, and movement restrictions.
- While no new cases have been reported in Hungary recently, the outbreak's origin remains uncertain, with a Hungarian official suggesting the possibility of a "biological attack," though without providing concrete evidence. Farmers face significant losses and challenges in restarting their operations.