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Austria has closed some border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
Slovakia declared a state of emergency on Tuesday after an outbreak of the disease was detected on three farms.
In Hungary, the first outbreak in 50 years occurred on Wednesday. Soldiers were stationed at border posts to contain the virus.
Foot-and-mouth disease, which is harmless to humans, mainly affects cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. Symptoms include fever and blisters in the mouths of infected animals. Outbreaks often lead to trade restrictions and the culling of certain livestock.
The Austrian health authorities strictly control the few open border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia. Cars must cross an epidemic carpet to prevent the virus from spreading, and this measure also applies to pedestrians crossing the border on foot.
Police are also searching vehicles at border crossings for meat products.
Austrian authorities say they are concentrating their police resources at the border while this emergency lasts.
- hector pascua with reports from euronews.de/picture: screenshot: euronews.de
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