With Easter on the horizon and summer holiday plans in full swing, officials in Ireland are sounding the alarm over the potential threat of a new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), already causing concern as it spreads through parts of Europe.
Ireland's Department of Agriculture has issued a warning after Slovakia joined the list of EU countries this year to report FMD cases. FMD is a highly contagious viral infection that targets cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, pigs, and sheep, reports the Irish Mirror.
Although FMD doesn't affect humans directly, its impact on agriculture can be severe due to production setbacks and export bans on livestock, meat, and dairy. The Irish Government has advised that should FMD surface in Ireland, drastic emergency actions such as culling, establishing lockdown zones, and enacting a nationwide movement ban will be enforced without delay.
Slovakia's response to their FMD cases includes initiating emergency procedures like bolstering border inspections for freight vehicles entering from neighbouring nations like Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Slovak officials have stated, "The coordination of the relevant authorities and the deployed forces and resources is ensured by the Central Crisis Staff, chaired by the Minister of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, Matus Sutaj Estok."
Three separate cattle herds within 20km of a recent Hungarian FMD case have been hit by an outbreak, following earlier incidents in Germany and Hungary this year. Ireland has successfully kept FMD at bay since 2001, and authorities are on high alert to maintain this status.
Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon has called on the Irish populace, particularly those travelling back from overseas, to stay alert to the threat. Although there have been no imports of FMD-susceptible animals to Ireland from Slovakia, Hungary or Germany since the outbreaks, prevention is a priority.
Minister Heydon voiced his concern: "The news of three outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia today is very concerning. I know this is a terrible blow to Slovak farmers and their agri-food industry."
In a plea to visitors from affected regions, he added: "Given the highly contagious nature of the FMD virus I urge everyone in Ireland, particularly farmers, to continue to stay vigilant and to protect our Irish livestock. Those travelling to Ireland from FMD affected countries should take every precaution not to bring the disease with them via contaminated meat, dairy and materials such as clothing, shoes and equipment."
He further stressed the importance of biosecurity, advising: "It is especially important that if you have visited farms, wildlife areas or zoos in FMD-affected countries, that you avoid all contact with livestock or wildlife for at least 14 days following arrival in Ireland."
Back in January, Germany was rocked by its first FMD case since 1988 after it was found in a herd of water buffalo in Brandenburg. The incident sent ripples of concern through the EU's farming community.
Ireland's Agriculture Minister at the time, Charlie McConalogue, expressed his concern: "I am dismayed to hear of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany today. I know this is a terrible blow to German farmers, particularly the affected herdowner and their neighbours. I know the German authorities are working hard to resolve this. I want to urge everyone in Ireland, particularly farmers, to stay vigilant and to protect our Irish livestock."
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