Second case of foot-and-mouth disease confirmed
FMD is highly contagious among cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep and pigs.
Governments in the UK and Northern Ireland have increased biosecurity measures after a case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was confirmed in Hungary.
Following testing, national authorities confirmed the case of FMD on a cattle farm to the north west of Hungary, on its border with Slovakia.
This is the second case of FMD to be confirmed in 2025. On 10 January, Germany reported that a case of FMD had been detected in a small herd of water buffalo in Brandenburg.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has acted to block the import of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and other non-domestic ruminants, as well as their untreated products, into Great Britain. The restrictions join those already in place on German exports.
From 8 March, travellers have also been unable to bring meat, dairy and certain composite or animal by-products from Hungary or Slovakia to Great Britain.
FMD does not pose a risk to human and food safety. However, it is highly contagious among cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep and pigs.
This can result in significant economic loss, through production losses in affected animals and a loss of access to the foreign market.
Christine Middlemiss, the UK chief veterinary officer, has urged livestock keepers to remain vigilant of the signs of FMD in their own livestock. There are currently no cases of FMD in the United Kingdom.
Dr Middlemiss said: “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.”
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland’s Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has enforced similar measures. It has confirmed that no susceptible species were imported to the country from Hungary or Slovakia during the risk window.
The disease has not been detected in Northern Ireland since the 2001 FMD outbreak across the UK.
Andrew Muir, minister for agriculture, environment and rural affairs, said: “Having a second case on the continent in Hungary should give us all a cause for concern. Foot and Mouth outbreak in Hungary is a clear reminder that we must continue to adhere to excellent biosecurity and responsible sourcing.
“We all have to play our part to keep this devastating disease out of our livestock and wildlife."
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With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
