A foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Levél, Hungary has resulted in the slaughter of over 3,000 farm animals, with their carcasses being buried near the Hungarian-Austrian border. The massive cull was ordered to prevent the spread of the disease, with a two-meter layer of earth covering the burial site to prevent contamination of groundwater.
Local residents in the area are concerned about the potential impact on their drinking water, while livestock farmers are emotionally distressed by the mass slaughter of healthy animals. The owner of the affected farm, Paul Meixner, has had to take the difficult decision to slaughter his entire herd, despite only 5% of the animals being infected.
The outbreak has also been detected in Slovakia, with strict disinfection measures in place at border crossings to prevent further spread. The Levél farm is facing losses of €3.7 million due to the cull, with compensation promised by the government, although the amount remains unclear.
This situation highlights the devastating impact of animal diseases on farmers and communities, as well as the importance of swift and decisive action to contain outbreaks and protect public health. The ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by the agricultural sector in maintaining biosecurity and protecting livestock from infectious diseases.
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