Austria has taken drastic action by sealing off 24 border crossings in response to a growing outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in neighboring Hungary and Slovakia. Both countries have declared states of emergency after confirming cases of the highly contagious livestock illness, which poses a significant threat to agriculture and trade. The first reported infection in Hungary was detected on March 7 at a dairy farm in Kisbajcs, near the Slovakian border, putting over 1,300 animals at risk. Authorities swiftly deployed military personnel to enforce strict containment measures, including mass culling and the establishment of restricted zones to prevent further spread.
Slovakia identified its own outbreaks on March 21 in farms close to the Hungarian border—an area critical for the nation’s livestock industry. The situation escalated quickly, prompting the European Union’s Veterinary Emergency Team to intervene. Foot-and-mouth disease, though rarely transmitted to humans, causes severe symptoms in cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, and sheep, including fever and painful blisters. Past outbreaks have led to widespread trade restrictions and economic losses, making containment a top priority for affected nations.
To minimize the risk of cross-border transmission, Slovakia has implemented rigorous safety protocols at the few remaining open checkpoints. Vehicles and pedestrians are required to pass over disinfection mats designed to neutralize the virus, while police conduct thorough inspections for prohibited meat products that could carry the pathogen. These measures aim to curb both accidental and intentional movement of contaminated goods, though the strain on border security and local farming communities remains substantial.
The European Commission is closely monitoring developments, holding emergency meetings to assess the crisis and coordinate a unified response. Meanwhile, Austrian officials have heightened surveillance at their borders, preparing contingency plans in case the disease spills into their territory. The source of the outbreak remains under investigation, with experts working to determine whether it stemmed from wildlife, illegal animal imports, or lapses in biosecurity protocols.
While foot-and-mouth disease hasn’t been detected in Austria, the nation’s preemptive border closures underscore the severity of the threat. Historical precedents, such as the UK’s devastating 2001 outbreak, serve as stark reminders of the economic and agricultural devastation the virus can cause. For now, the focus remains on containment, but the incident has reignited debates about Europe’s preparedness for zoonotic diseases—especially as global travel and trade increase the likelihood of future outbreaks.