Slovakia culls thousands of cattle amid foot-and-mouth crisis
The fifth outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in Slovakia. The Minister of Agriculture, Richard Takáč, has announced that over 3,500 cattle will need to be culled at a farm in Plavecký Štvrtok.
What do you need to know?
- Where and when was the new outbreak detected? The fifth outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed at a farm in Plavecký Štvrtok, in the Malacky district, in north-western Slovakia.
- What measures have been taken? The farm, managed by a Danish company, has over 3,500 cattle that require culling.
- What are the next steps? On Monday morning, an extraordinary government meeting led by Robert Fico will be held to discuss the situation.
Foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia: Cattle had contact with a Hungarian farm
The Minister of Agriculture, Richard Takáč, stated that the farm in Plavecký Štvrtok had contact with a Hungarian farm in Levél, where foot-and-mouth disease was also detected.
Veterinary services have confirmed the fifth outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia, said Takáč. The disease is transmitted through contact between animals, as well as by humans, tools, and vehicles.
What are the consequences for the farmers?
The farm in Plavecký Štvrtok, one of the largest in Slovakia, raises dairy cows, heifers, and calves. Over 3,500 cattle will need to be culled at the farm managed by a Danish company in the village of Plavecký Štvrtok in the Malacky district, the minister reported.
In response to the situation, the government plans an extraordinary meeting to decide on the subsequent steps.
Although foot-and-mouth disease is not harmful to humans, it is one of the most contagious diseases among animals. It has already been detected on five farms in Slovakia, posing a challenge for authorities in terms of controlling and preventing the further spread of the virus.
