In Rábapordány, alongside 875 cattle, healthy pigs also had to be slaughtered to prevent the spreading of the disease.Continue reading
No single measure was directed against Bábolna, but for Hungary; our aim is to protect other animals, farms and the entire Hungarian livestock, the Agriculture Minister emphasized on Wednesday on his social media page.
István Nagy wrote that on Wednesday morning, he visited Bábolna (northwestern Hungary), where he discussed the control of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and the safe burial of carcasses with locals and mayors of neighboring villages. “It was with deep sympathy that I listened to the concerns of the local people. I know how difficult it is for everyone: farmers, residents and those who work on control,” he said.
The minister stressed that
the control of the virus is being carried out under strict rules, that buried animals do not pose a threat to drinking water or human health, and that water quality control and safety monitoring are ongoing at the designated sites.
“I know that these are painful days, but our goal is clear: to protect other animals, farms, and the entire Hungarian livestock population. All decisions have been taken responsibly and professionally. None of the measures were directed against Bábolna, but for Hungary, for Hungarian agriculture, for farmers, for animals, and ultimately for all of us,” the minister stated.
The foot-and-mouth disease virus appeared in Hungary at the beginning of March, and since then, a total of five cattle farms have been identified with the virus. The animals were all slaughtered on the farms and buried, among others, in Bábolna. With the disposal of the carcasses, several news reports and pictures have emerged and locals have become concerned that the uncovered carcasses could pose a risk of infection. Minister István stated earlier that 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. He reassured the public that disinfection measures ensure the burial poses no danger.
The National Food Chain Safety Office said on Wednesday that strict rules remain in place to stop foot-and-mouth disease, adding that the virus remains a serious threat in Hungary. Although no new outbreaks have been reported so far, the threat has not disappeared and the authorities are maintaining protection and strict restrictions.
The responsibility of animal keepers to control the virus also remains enormous. The five infected farms have been completely eradicated by the authorities, but control is ongoing and restrictions and measures will be updated according to the current epidemiological situation, the office underlined.
Featured photo via Pixabay