Foot-and-Mouth Disease Confirmed in Hungarian Cattle
Hungary Confirms First Foot-and-Mouth Disease Case in Over 50 Years
Table of Contents
Published: 2025-03-07
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has resurfaced in Europe. The FMD virus has been confirmed on a cattle farm in Kisbajcs, Hungary, marking the nation’s first case in over half a century. This growth comes shortly after a case was detected in a buffalo herd in Germany in January, raising concerns about the spread of this highly contagious animal disease.
On Friday morning, Hungary’s National Food Chain Safety Authority (Nébih) officially announced the outbreak, confirming the presence of foot-and-mouth disease after more than 50 years without a single reported incident.
The outbreak was identified on a farm housing 1,400 cattle. According to reports, the animals began displaying classic symptoms of FMD at the beginning of March. Subsequent laboratory testing by Nébih confirmed the presence of the pathogen.
In response to the confirmation, Dr. Szabolcs Pásztor, the national chief veterinarian, acted swiftly. He immediately ordered the closure of the affected farm and initiated a thorough epidemiological investigation.The aim is to determine the source of the virus and prevent further spread.
Nébih has announced the implementation of “extremely strict official measures,” including a ban on the transport of susceptible live animal species and their products. These measures are designed to contain the outbreak and protect Hungary’s livestock industry.
According to Nébih, “the eradication of the population and the investigation of the source of the infection are in progress.” The authority emphasized the importance of vigilance,adding,”The most crucial thing is that all owners of susceptible species pay special attention to complying with disease control regulations and the strict official measures imposed,and immediately report any illness in their animals to their veterinarian.”
Potential Impact on UK Imports
The UK imports a variety of pork products from Hungary.HMRC figures for 2024,show the UK imported:
- 1,823 tonnes of fresh and frozen pork,up 44% on 2023.
- 48t of bacon
- 722t of sausages
- 264t of processed hams, shoulders and pieces.
While Hungary is not a major source of pigmeat imports relative to some EU countries, the Department for Surroundings, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is highly likely to impose a ban on imports of animals and products of animal origin (POAO) from Hungary, mirroring the response to the German outbreak in January.
Though,Defra’s implementation of the German FMD ban has faced scrutiny. There were claims at an Environment, Food and Rural Affairs hearing that products from Germany continued to enter the UK for ‘at least a week’ after the ban was imposed.
Understanding Foot-and-mouth Disease Symptoms
Key Symptoms of FMD
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, buffalo, and wild ruminants.
The main symptoms of the disease include:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Salivation
- Appearance of blisters in the mouth and on the feet
Economic Consequences
While FMD is very rarely transmitted to humans, it’s extremely high contagiousness and rapid spread in livestock can have serious economic consequences. Infected animals cannot be treated; therefore, if even one animal on a farm is confirmed to have the disease, all cloven-hoofed animals must be culled to prevent further spread.
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Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Hungary: Your Questions Answered
Published: 2025-03-07
What is Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)?
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals. These include:
- Cattle
- Pigs
- Sheep
- Goats
- Buffalo
- Wild ruminants
FMD is characterized by fever, loss of appetite, salivation, and blisters in the mouth and on the feet.
Why is the FMD outbreak in Hungary Significant?
The FMD outbreak in Hungary is significant for several reasons:
- First Case in Over 50 Years: This is Hungary’s first reported case of FMD in more than half a century.
- Impacts Trade: Hungary has lost its FMD-free status, leading to restrictions on the movement of animals and animal products.
- Economic Consequences: Outbreaks can result in culling of livestock to prevent further spread, leading to considerable economic losses for farmers and the agricultural industry.
- Concerns about spread: Following a recent case in Germany, this outbreak raises concerns about the potential for wider spread of FMD in Europe.
Where in Hungary was the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Detected?
The FMD outbreak was detected on a cattle farm in Kisbajcs, in the Gyor area of Hungary, close to the Slovakia border.
When Was the FMD Outbreak in Hungary Confirmed?
the Hungarian Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed the detection of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) on March 7, 2025.
What Actions Have Been taken in Response to the Outbreak?
In response to the confirmed outbreak, several measures have been implemented:
- Farm Closure: the affected farm has been immediately closed.
- Epidemiological Investigation: A thorough investigation is underway to determine the source of the virus and prevent its spread.
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