The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has reported an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in a dairy cattle herd in Hungary.
FMD was found in a dairy cattle herd (of 1,400 animals) in Kisbajcs in the north of the country and represents the first report of FMD in Hungary since 1973. This comes as another FMD outbreak was reported in water buffalo in Germany earlier this year.
The Hungarian National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) reported that ‘classic’ FMD clinical signs were observed on the premises on 3rd March 2025 and confirmatory testing was carried out on 6th March, with the serotype currently pending. The source is not currently known, though epidemiological investigations are underway.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that culling at the premises was ongoing, and restrictions are in place, with a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone established. These zones also comprise territory in neighbouring Slovakia.
Movement restrictions have now been applied, and hunting is prohibited in the restriction zones, with blood samples from hunted animals in the wider restricted county of Gyor to be tested for FMD. Gatherings of susceptible animals in Gyor are currently banned until 17th March and tourist attractions holding susceptible animals (e.g. zoos) are closed until further notice.
UK imports halted
The UK Government has acted immediately to prevent the commercial import from Hungary and Slovakia of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and other non-domestic ruminants and porcines, such as deer, and their untreated products, such as fresh meat and dairy. This will protect farmers and their livestock.
Action is underway with local authorities and traders to address possible risks from goods on the way to Great Britain. Such goods must be pre-notified and wider border systems in place will prevent consignments entering. This is in addition to restrictions already in place for equivalent exports from Germany.
Additionally, travellers are no longer able to bring meat, meat products, milk, and dairy products, certain composite products, and animal by-products of pigs and ruminants, or hay or straw, from Hungary and Slovakia to Great Britain.
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said: “The Government will do whatever it takes to protect our nation’s farmers from the risk posed by foot and mouth disease.
“That is why restrictions have immediately been brought in on animal products from Hungary and Slovakia to prevent an outbreak. We will not hesitate to add additional countries to the list if the disease spreads. We will continue to keep the situation under review working closely with the Hungarian and Slovakian authorities.”
Dr Christine Middlemiss, UK chief veterinary officer, stated: “We remain in contact with our Hungarian counterparts to understand the latest situation following their confirmation of a single case of foot and mouth disease, measures are now being taken to contain and eradicate the outbreak.
“I would urge livestock keepers to exercise the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, follow scrupulous biosecurity and report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”
