Synopsis
A team of 16 firefighters from the Czech Republic is aiding Slovakia in controlling a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. This initiative comes in response to a state of emergency declared due to rising cases in southern regions.Key Takeaways
- 16 firefighters sent to assist Slovakia.
- Emergency declared after additional FMD cases.
- Reinstated border controls between Czech Republic and Slovakia.
- FMD affects cloven-hoofed animals.
- Significant economic implications for livestock.
Prague, March 26 (NationPress) The Czech Republic has sent a contingent of 16 firefighters to Slovakia to aid in combating the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
As reported by the Czech Fire and Rescue Service, these firefighters will collaborate with Slovak personnel to conduct decontamination efforts as part of a broader emergency response.
On Tuesday, the Slovak government declared a state of emergency following the confirmation of additional FMD cases at a fourth farm. The most recent case was detected in the Dunajska Streda district, close to previously impacted southern villages including Medvedov, Narad, and Baka, where the disease was first identified the previous Friday.
In reaction to this outbreak, the Czech Republic reinstated border controls with Slovakia last week. Czech police and veterinary inspectors are actively enforcing a ban on livestock imports from affected regions across four major border checkpoints.
Foot-and-mouth disease is an extremely contagious viral infection that primarily impacts cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. Symptoms include fever, diminished appetite, excessive salivation, and the formation of blisters on the mouth and feet, as reported by Xinhua.
The last occurrence of this disease in the Czech Republic was recorded in 1975.
The World Organisation for Animal Health classifies foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) as a serious and highly contagious viral illness affecting livestock, which significantly impacts the economy. The illness targets cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.
As a transboundary animal disease (TAD), FMD profoundly disrupts livestock production and regional as well as international trade in animals and animal products. Countries currently free of FMD without vaccination remain perpetually at risk of an outbreak. FMD is caused by an Aphthovirus from the Picornaviridae family.
There are seven viral serotypes (A, O, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, and Asia1). The FMDV serotype C has not been reported by the network of WOAH/FAO Reference Laboratories since 2004, nor have any serotype C events been documented to WOAH since that time.
The remaining serotypes exist across various countries and territories globally. Each serotype necessitates a specific vaccine to confer immunity to vaccinated animals.
Preventing FMD relies on the establishment of early detection and warning systems, along with effective surveillance and other measures.
