Austria Closes Borders With Hungary, Slovakia Over Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Austria has announced the closure of two smaller border crossings with Slovakia and 21 with Hungary starting Saturday to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. This decision follows the first outbreak of the disease in Hungary in 50 years, prompting Hungary to deploy soldiers and implement disinfection measures. The disease, which primarily affects livestock and leads to potential trade restrictions and culling, has also caused Slovakia to declare an emergency after cases were found on three farms. Austrian authorities will focus police resources on main border crossings to strengthen preventive measures. The Interior Ministry has stated that it will not disclose specific operational details to maintain the effectiveness of these checks. These actions highlight the urgency in protecting Austria's livestock from this infectious disease.