Serious Questions Raised About Origin of Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak

Minister of Agriculture István Nagy (L), Kristóf Gál, spokesperson for the National Police Headquarters (R)

Four livestock farms in Győr-Moson-Sopron County remain affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Minister of Agriculture István Nagy reported that there have been no new domestic cases and that disinfection and decontamination efforts in the affected areas are expected to be completed by Saturday.

Speaking on Thursday, István Nagy confirmed that no new infections had been detected and that disease control efforts were ongoing. He also mentioned in Mosonmagyaróvár (western Hungary) that they suspect the foot-and-mouth virus may have been artificially engineered.

The Animal Health Operational Task Force held another meeting on Thursday and confirmed that

the same four farms in Győr-Moson-Sopron County remain under quarantine, where intensive decontamination and disinfection work is in progress and expected to be finished by Saturday.

In Darnózseli and Dunakiliti (settlements near Mosonmagyaróvár), animal culling and site decontamination are ongoing. Veterinarians, police officers, disaster management personnel, soldiers, and drivers are all working together to stop the spread of the disease. Targeted measures are in effect within a 10-kilometer radius of the four farms, as well as nationwide, to eliminate any chance of the virus spreading further. The agriculture minister urged livestock owners to strictly and fully comply with animal health and epidemic control regulations.

The Bábolna animal carcass disposal site was deemed most suitable for disease control, although the government understands local objections to burying the culled animals nearby. The minister reassured the public that disinfection measures ensure the burial poses no danger.

Nagy also emphasized that

the possibility of the virus being man-made raises further concerns, which are being investigated.

“We are facing an extraordinary animal health crisis. I ask for everyone’s understanding,” he said, stressing that, “We did not slaughter these animals out of will, but to stop the virus and protect Hungary’s livestock from this highly contagious disease.” There are still no new outbreaks, according to the minister. The fight against the spread of the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease continues, with sample testing being conducted at livestock farms across the country.

Slovakia Follows Austria in Tightening Crossings on the Hungarian Border