Maul and claw disease: Austria's farmers on alert!

Maul and claw disease: Austria's farmers on alert!

Burgenland, Österreich - The outbreak of mouth and claw disease (MKS) in Hungary and Slovakia employs the authorities in Austria. According to Krone , over 1000 samples have already been tested in agricultural companies in the affected areas in Austria. So far, all test results are negative, which means that no cases have been found in Lower Austria and Burgenland.

The tests were carried out in the districts of Gänserndorf and in communities in Bruck an der Leitha, Mistelbach and Wiener Neustadt. Four municipalities, including Deutsch Jahrndorf and Mönchhof, are currently also considered a surveillance zone in Burgenland. The restricted zones also include the districts of Neusiedl am See, Eisenstadt-Umgebung, Mattersburg and Oberpullendorf. The decision on the further procedure will be made next Monday.

maintaining the hygiene measures

In response to the outbreak, reinforced hygiene rules and operational controls in the affected areas were implemented. In addition, restrictions on animal transports are in force. An import ban for living farm animals, fresh meat, milk as well as other animal products from Hungary and Slovakia was imposed. The Austrian army is in assistance to support the controls in the border area.

good news for the population: there are no restrictions for humans. Although MKS is highly contagious for claws such as cattle, sheep and goats, there is no danger for people. Nevertheless, infected people can potentially transfer the plague to animals. The typical symptoms in affected animals include blistering in the mouth, fever and pain.

global perspective of the disease

The outbreak in Hungary has marked the first case of MKS since 1973, as reported BMEL . The situation also remained critical in the adjacent Brandenburg, where a case in water buffalos was confirmed on January 10, 2025. No further cases were found after extensive sampling, but a “stand still” for claws was arranged, which meant that the transport of these animals and their products was prohibited.

This step was necessary to prevent the spread of MKS. In Germany, the surveillance measures were extended in a smaller restricted zone, the so -called “containment zone”, in April 11, 2025. The EU Commission also set measures to monitor animal health in the affected regions.

Overall, the developments around MKS show that national and international authorities are trying to control the spread of the disease and to ensure the health of the cattle stock.