A new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Slovakia has raised concerns for both animal health and regional economies as the government implements a state of emergency in response to the crisis. On March 25, 2025, the Slovak Ministry of Agriculture confirmed the fourth case of FMD in southern Slovakia, near the border with Hungary. This recent outbreak was confirmed in Lúča na Ostrove, within a herd of approximately 270 cattle, part of a region already grappling with earlier detections of the disease.
The emergency measures were put in place as the situation escalates, allowing the government to coordinate the efforts of various agencies in combating the disease. Prime Minister Robert Fico stated, “This is a deadly serious matter,” as his administration reels from the criticism of being slow to respond to early warnings from Hungary, where cases had already been reported earlier in March. The last recorded case of FMD in Czechoslovakia occurred in 1975, making the current outbreaks particularly alarming.
In Slovakia, over 3,000 animals have been planned for culling as authorities intensify efforts to contain the disease. The response includes the elimination of cattle within a three-kilometer radius of the outbreak, aimed at stopping further spread. Daily culling operations have been set at approximately 300 cattle, primarily located in Medveďov, Ňárad, Baka, and Lúča na Ostrove.
To bolster these efforts, the Slovak government is now cooperating with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to ensure stringent containment measures are implemented. “We want to ensure no further outbreaks occur,” stated Richard Takáč, the Slovak Minister of Agriculture, pointing to the region becoming a dangerous zone due to the rapid transmission potential of FMD.
Neighboring countries are also taking precautionary measures. As a result of the rising number of cases, both Poland and the Czech Republic have enacted bans on the importation of livestock and animal products from Slovakia. Poland, in particular, has enacted a comprehensive embargo on meat, dairy, and other livestock products, especially considering it has not reported any case of FMD since 1971.
Reports indicate that there have been 412 shipments of animals from Slovakia to Poland within the 30 days preceding the current outbreak, leading to heightened concerns over biosafety among Slovak and Polish livestock sectors. The Polish agricultural minister has since called for enhanced inspections of farms that received imports from Slovakia.
As the Slovakia response develops, uncertainty looms among farmers who fear economic losses could escalate into the hundreds of millions of euros. discussions of compensation measures for affected farmers have started, but Prime Minister Fico emphasizes that resolving the crisis is a national priority. He pledged that “all losses will be compensated,” directly linking the welfare of farmers to the fiscal health of the nation.
Despite the grave situation, the Slovak government reassured citizens that the state of emergency will not impose restrictions on travel or the organization of mass events. Rather, it focuses on a swift and organized reaction to the crisis at hand, allowing veterinary services to operate under expanded authority to manage the situation more effectively.
Experts are cautiously monitoring the situation, noting concerns that the cases emerging from Slovakia and Hungary may mark the beginning of a larger epidemic across Central Europe. The disease could spread rapidly through direct contact, contaminated vehicles, equipment, or even footwear. Authorities from several countries have heightened border controls and are engaging in surveillance of farms that are in proximity to affected areas as a preventive measure.
With Slovakia now marked as a focal point of vigilance, it has joined the ranks of nations previously impacted by FMD, such as Germany and Hungary. Early prevention and control actions will be crucial in determining how far the disease spreads within the region. Farmers, veterinary officials, and government entities must collaborate effectively to avert further economic fallout while securing the health of livestock across borders.
In summary, the emergence of foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia has triggered a state of emergency as the government scrambles to respond. The situation is unprecedented, requiring rapid action, decisive governmental intervention, and cooperation at all levels to mitigate the potentially devastating impacts of the disease. Given the urgent nature of FMD, the next steps taken by Slovakia could be pivotal in shaping the future of the livestock industry in the region and ensuring food security.
