Foreign Office issues update on infectious disease warning in European holiday spot
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has previously shared information which Brits need to know about to protect them from what has been described as the 'highly contagious' foot and mouth disease
Model of a foot and mouth disease virus capsid.
(Image: Martin McCarthy )
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has now removed their warning to Brits need about what they needed to know about to protect them from what has been described as the "highly contagious" foot and mouth disease if they are travelling to Slovakia.
Previously, the FCDO had warned British travellers that there were increased vehicle inspection measures, especially on freight vehicles, and the temporary closure of some crossing points on the Austrian and Hungarian borders, however they have now announced that these measures have been lifted.
You can stay up to date with the wider situation by monitoring Slovak Ministry of the Interior's website (in Slovak only). For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
The UK Government had already intervened to halt the commercial import from Slovakia of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and other non-domestic ruminants such as deer, along with their untreated products like fresh meat and dairy. This measure is designed to protect farmers and their livestock.
Since March 8, travellers to the UK have been banned from bringing meat, meat products, milk and dairy products, certain composite products and animal by-products of pigs and ruminants, or hay or straw, from Hungary and Slovakia following a case on the Hungarian border with Slovakia.
The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has also asked livestock keepers to be extra watchful for signs of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), following recent occurrences in Hungary, Germany, and now Slovakia. The UK remains unaffected by the condition at the moment.
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Human health and food safety are not at risk from FMD, yet it's an extremely infectious virus impacting cattle, sheep, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed beasts including wild boar, deer, llamas, and alpacas. It's crucial for livestock managers to maintain stringent biosecurity measures.
The economic impact of FMD is also serious, with production losses in affected livestock as well as restricted access to international markets for animals, meat, and dairy products from countries battling the outbreak.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said: "Foot and Mouth disease has now been confirmed in Slovakia, we remain in contact with our European counterparts to understand the latest situation."
She also expressed concerns over the unsettling number of foot and mouth incidents on the continent, noting: "We have seen a disturbing number of foot and mouth cases on the continent, and we need to stay on high alert to the risk of disease incursion – as a government, at the border and on our farms."
"Protecting animal health and minimising the risk of disease incursion remains our top priority. Livestock keepers are reminded to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, follow scrupulous biosecurity and report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency."
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner stated: "With disease now confirmed in Slovakia, it is clear the Government's precautionary approach to ban Slovakian imports was the right one.
"The confirmation of a Foot and Mouth disease in a third European country is a serious concern, the government will take whatever action is necessary to prevent the further spread of disease.
"Ensuring the safety of our livestock sector and protecting our farmers will always be a top priority.
"This comes as the government announced a £200 million investment in the UK's main research and laboratory testing facilities at Weybridge to bolster protection against animal disease."
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