The World Organization for Animal Health officially confirmed an outbreak of foot and mouth disease on three Slovak farms on March 21, 2025. This alarming development has raised serious concerns about the disease's potential spread and its implications for animal health both in Slovakia and the broader European region.
Experts at the Federal Center for Animal Health Protection have stated that "the only effective measure to prevent the spread of the disease is to recognize the entire territory of Slovakia as unfavorable." This recognition would facilitate the immediate implementation of crucial health measures aimed at reducing the risk of further contamination.
Following this outbreak, the need for stringent export and import restrictions has become increasingly pressing. According to VNIITZH (All-Russian Research Institute of Veterinary Sanitation), countries are advised to impose limitations on the movement of animals and animal products to other EU nations. This cautionary approach aims to mitigate the spread of foot and mouth disease and protect the health of livestock across borders.
Vaccination is also a critical component of the response strategy. VNIITZH emphasizes that there should be an urgent need for collective vaccination of susceptible animals within the protected zone and surveillance zone. Such measures are necessary to bolster the defenses against the disease in and around infected areas.
Earlier, Rosselkhoznadzor, the Russian agricultural watchdog, reported concerns that the measures implemented by the European Union regarding foot and mouth disease in Hungary and other EU countries had been inadequate. "The measures taken by the European Union Commission for foot and mouth disease in Hungary and other EU countries were insufficient and could lead to a wider spread of the disease," they warned. This prediction has now been confirmed with the emergence of the outbreak in Slovakia.
In a positive light, Russian authorities have been proactive in the fight against foot and mouth disease. Due to effective prevention strategies and regulatory measures, Russia has been awarded international status for animal health well-being. The Russian Ministry of Agriculture noted, "Thanks to effective methods of prevention and control of foot and mouth disease, Russia has been assigned international status for well-being for this disease." This status is crucial not only for domestic animal health but also for promoting Russia's livestock internationally.
Since the beginning of 2025, VNIITZH has also significantly contributed to global health efforts by exporting more than 224 million doses of vaccines developed at the institution, specifically for the prevention of foot and mouth disease. These vaccines have reached various countries, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Morocco, Kuwait, Iran, Egypt, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Belarus, and Armenia.
The outbreak in Slovakia serves as a wake-up call for nations dealing with livestock. With effective monitoring, vaccination drives, and strict regulatory measures, it's possible to prevent widespread animal disease outbreaks and protect local and regional economies reliant on healthy livestock. Both the EU and neighboring countries must act swiftly in collaboration with veterinary professionals to contain this outbreak and prevent devastation among farm animals — as diseases like foot and mouth can have far-reaching ramifications on food supply and public health.
Slovakia’s challenges with this outbreak furthermore underscore the importance of robust international cooperation in dealing with agricultural health outbreaks. It is imperative that all nations stay vigilant and responsive by sharing best practices and vaccine technologies to ensure that similar situations do not escalate in the future.
In the spirit of this cooperation, authorities and health organizations continue to advocate for a collective global approach to ensuring animal health and avoiding the dire consequences associated with rampant disease outbreaks. Thus, vigilance, prompt action, and international solidarity remain at the forefront of this ongoing battle against diseases affecting livestock.
