Maul and claw disease: Austria takes border controls seriously!

Maul and claw disease: Austria takes border controls seriously!

On April 16, 2025, no cases of mouth and claw disease (MKS) have been detected in Austria. This is reported by the Krone . Nevertheless, the Federal Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health, Nursing and Consumer Protection (BMASGPK), the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) use preventive measures to prevent the spread of the disease. In particular on the Easter weekend, increased controls were carried out by police and customs along the eastern borders. These measures focused on return travel, animal transports and illegal imports of animal products such as meat, raw milk and manure.

New regulations apply to the import of claw animals from MKS-free areas in Hungary and Slovakia. In the future, the animals may only be transported directly from the origin company to a destination in Austria. The animals must be clinically healthy and a negative proof of the MKS virus, which must be provided with a PCR or Elisa test, is required, although the test result must not be older than 72 hours. In addition, a seven -day quarantine is prescribed in full isolation when entering in posture.

strict requirements for import and quarantine

The strict requirements continue to slaughterhouses when delivered. So there must be no contacts to other animals, and either a quarantine stable must be used or the complete absence of other animals must be guaranteed. A clinical examination by official veterinarians is also prescribed, as well as separate slaughter, cleaning and disinfection after slaughter. The transport companies are obliged to clean and disinfect their means of transport and to return to the country of origin without a stopover. The LKO and the responsible ministry ask animal owners and transport companies, the new regulations to be strictly adhered to and to check bios safety measures regularly.

On April 12, 2025, a second adaptation package of the MKS Ordinance was published, which came into force on April 14, 2025. The import ban for certain products is now limited and only affects restricted zones in Hungary and Slovakia. This is the result of the measures of the veterinary authorities in these two countries that were taken after the last case of MKS was reported on April 4, 2025. The geographical differentiation of the epidemic at the EU level enables only the affected regions of trade restrictions.

transmission paths and symptoms of MKS

MKS leads to comprehensive blocking regulations in the EU, since the economic damage is not only caused by the illness of the animals itself, but also through trade restrictions and sales problems. The MKS virus is easily transferable and can be distributed through direct contact between animals and indirectly via intermediaries such as vehicles and people. The incubation period varies depending on the animal species: for sheep and goats it is 1 to 6 days, 2 to 7 days for cattle and 2 to 12 days for pigs. Disease signs include bladder formation and mucous membranes at various parts of the body, such as the mouth and claws. Painful lameness can occur in pigs, while sheep often only noticed by lameness.

The MKS virus survives for months in the environment, which makes it considerably more difficult to contain the disease. The Animal health service indicates that an immediate message is required if the official veterinarian can order corresponding measures. In order to minimize the risks, pet owners should limit the purchase of animals and transport to the most necessary, comply with regular hygiene and disinfection measures and control access to their companies.