Austria on alert: mouth and claw disease threaten!

Austria on alert: mouth and claw disease threaten!

Kittsee, Österreich - The Austrian authorities have taken extensive measures to contain the impending threat from the mouth and claw disease (MKS). As kosmo , the plague is currently spreading in the neighboring countries of Hungary and Slovakia, while Austria has so far been spared from an outbreak. In order to protect the population and domestic animal husbandry, preventive precautions are now taken in the border regions.

The reports from Hungary are particularly alarming, where thousands of cattle had to be killed in order to contain the plague. In Hegyeshalom, only about ten kilometers from the Austrian border, mass graves have been documented. This increases the urgency of the measures that Austria introduces.

preventive measures in Austria

Available are all border crossings in the districts of Oberwart, Güssing and Jennersdorf, but under strict checks of the police, which monitors compliance with the import bans. In Lower Austria, the measures also affect Hohenau border crossings on March and Berg.

safety precautions and controls

The police and customs have reinforced their controls in the border area to ensure compliance with the new guidelines. Agriculture Minister Norbert Tettschnig warned and appealed to the population to avoid contact with animals from the affected areas and to bring no animal products from these regions to Austria. So far, however, there are no indications of illegal goods in the checkpoints.

The progressive controls are supported by 40 soldiers of the Federal Army who participate in the border controls at the Nickelsdorf and Kittsee transitions. The veterinary measures were also expanded; Monitoring zones have been set up in several districts, including in the Neusiedl am See district, to check the companies regularly.

background to the mouth and claw disease

The mouth and claw disease is a highly contagious viral disease in paired horses that can also affect zoo and wild animals. It is transferred through direct contact with infected animals, their products and excretions. Air transmission is also possible, which can extend over distances of up to 60 km. The mortality rate in adult animals is about five percent, but there is no risk of infection for humans. Nevertheless, the Federal Government took corresponding risk reduction precautions and checked the animal husbandry.

The current developments, in particular the outbreak in Hungary and the massive feedback to the Austrian authorities, throw a light on the serious challenges associated with combating this animal disease. Experts emphasize that under the given hygienic conditions there is no danger for the consumers of pasteurized milk or dairy products.