The presence of foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia has been confirmed in three livestock farms in the districts of Komarno (Nitra region) and Dunajska Streda (Trnava region), Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) announced before the government session on Friday.
An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among cattle was confirmed on March 7 near the Hungarian village of Kisbajcs, only two kilometres from the border with Slovakia. The State Veterinary and Food Administration responded by adopting measures to prevent the potential spread of the disease in Slovakia.
"From the moment foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed in Hungary, all measures were immediately launched in Slovakia to prevent the infection from spreading. Samples from two Slovak farms were negative, we are waiting for next results. We will update you about the situation," said the Ministry of Agriculture’s spokesperson.
As of midnight March 20, the Czech Republic reinstated the ban on importing farm animals from Slovakia and resumed extraordinary border checks with Slovakia due to the likely occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease in two Slovak livestock farms.
Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny added that, in agreement with the Czech police and Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan, extraordinary border checks will be resumed on Friday starting at 7.00 a.m. A strict ban on contact with people or animals from Slovakia will apply to Czech farmers.
Source: TASR
