Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Outbreaks

What is FMD?

FMD is a virus that affects cloven hooved-animals e.g. cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer. It is a highly contagious virus that can cause a fever, blisters in the animal’s mouth and feet and many serious after-effects. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals, through the air and via fomites (e.g. clothing, hands, animals that are not susceptible to the virus and vehicles.)

Management of FMD

FMD is a notifiable disease in Europe and therefore outbreaks are managed by government veterinary authorities. Disease control measures include the culling of infected and susceptible animals (which does not include horses). Furthermore, the movement of all animals is often restricted in ‘protection’ and ‘surveillance’ zones around infected farms. Neighbouring regions and countries may also restrict the movement of animals, including those that are not susceptible to the disease.

Horse Movement Restrictions

Horse movements may be impacted not only by restriction zones around affected farms, but also by additional measures imposed by neighbouring countries. Currently, Slovakia has implemented restrictions on horse movements. Austria has strenghtened control at their borders with Hungary and Slovakia which includes the disinfection of vehicles. It is likely that other countries bordering  Slovakia and Hungary will also implement additional border controls.

Restricted horse movements in Slovakia

The following map shows both the protection (red) and surveillance zones  (green) currently in place. Horses originating from these zones should not participate in horse-related events, as described in point 2, below.
 

The State Veterinary and Food Administration of the Slovak Republic outlines the requirements and conditions for hosting events involving horses during the 2025 season, as follows:

1. The extraordinary emergency measures established to prevent the spread of FMD apply only to susceptible animals.
2. Horses originating from the FMD restriction zone (i.e. the protection and surveillance zones) that have had contact with susceptible animals within the last seven days should not participate in various horse-related events, based on general anti-epidemic rules.
3. During transportation, animal welfare  standards must be  maintained, along with biosecurity measures. This includes usingcleaned and disinfected vehicles, and ensuring that personnel are trained and informed about the hygiene measures required to prevent the spread of disease. Further information concerning the FMD outbreaks can be found here.

We thank you for your support in observing these control measures and remain available should you have any questions.