Enhanced safeguards for Mouth and Claw Condition not implemented yet
Back in the swing of things! Here's a down-to-earth take on the current FMD situation in Burgenland, Austria.
With FMD measures set to wrap up on May 20th, border controls and military aid in Burgenland and Lower Austria are slated to wind down — as long as no new cases pop up. Smaller border crossings to Slovakia and Hungary are planned to reopen soon, and quarantine zones along with all meat import bans will be lifted too.
FMD, known as "the most dangerous animal disease we know," has been quiet on Austria's neighboring fronts lately. Burgenland's Deputy Governor, Anja Haider-Wallner (Greens), is feeling cautiously optimistic about the small border crossings reopening without further FMD outbreaks. Strict hygiene and biosafety measures will remain crucial for the coming weeks to prevent any unwelcome guests.
Burgenland has also launched a monitoring program, and the disease control zones at the open border crossings in Hohenau an der March (Gänserndorf) and Berg (Bruck an der Leitha) are scheduled to be dismantled. The military assistance, introduced on April 14th, will come to an end as planned, with the closed borders set to reopen on May 21st.
Biosecurity & Monitoring
- Almost 660 businesses in the extended restricted zone in Northern and Central Burgenland are being closely monitored for compliance with biosecurity protocols[3].
- Regular groundwater inspections are being conducted to safeguard against any hidden FMD-infected cattle from Hungary[4].
- The Austrian military has been hard at work in preventative efforts against FMD[4].
Extended Surveillance Zone
- Austria expanded its surveillance zone following the second FMD outbreak in Hungary, covering areas in both countries[5].
- The zone encompasses 43 animals in a restricted area and approximately 82,064 animals in a broader surveillance zone across parts of Lower Austria and Burgenland[5].
Border Controls
- Although not FMD-specific, Austria is maintaining border controls with Hungary until November 2025 to tackle broader security issues[2].
Future Plans for Lifting Restrictions
No specific timeline for lifting FMD restrictions has been shared yet. The main focus is keeping stringent biosecurity measures and surveillance in place to avoid disease spread. Restrictions would likely be eased once new outbreaks are absent and current measures prove effective.
Key Points to Keep in Mind
- Consistent monitoring and compliance with biosecurity guidelines are vital.
- Collaboration with Hungary is essential to manage risks.
- The absense of new cases within Austria's borders will play a crucial role in deciding when restrictions can be eased.
In the domain of health and wellness, it's imperative to maintain stringent biosecurity measures, as seen in Austria's continual monitoring of businesses in the extended restricted zone for compliance with protocols. Additionally, the science of disease control and prevention is highlighted through the regular groundwater inspections safeguarding against FMD-infected cattle from Hungary.
