Small Border Crossings between Slovakia and Hungary Closed over Foot-and-Mouth

Bratislava, March 26 (TASR) - All small border crossings between Slovakia and Hungary will be closed due to foot-and-mouth disease, which has been confirmed in another outbreak in Hungary, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) informed the media following the cabinet session on Wednesday, adding that the central crisis management team will meet later on Wednesday. Decontamination gates will be placed at major border crossings such as Rajka, Medvedov, Komarno and Sturovo. "We've already taken measures in order to prevent the spread of this infectious disease from this area," said Sutaj Estok, adding that Slovakia is purchasing additional decontamination gates to ensure that there will be enough of them. Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD) said that he's agreed with the National Education and Youth Institute and the Agriculture Ministry to prepare simple methodological educational instructions for primary and secondary schools. These will be available in Hungarian as well. The instructions will contain basic information about the risks of transmission, hygiene and effects on humans. They should help children and parents to understand and learn what they can do to avoid contributing to the spread of this disease, said Drucker. Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) informed the media earlier on Wednesday that another outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in the village of Level in Hungary. It's situated 40 kilometres from the farm on which the first infection in Hungary was confirmed on March 6. The government on Tuesday (March 25) declared a state of emergency in response to foot-and-mouth disease covering the entire territory of Slovakia. According to Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD), the government wants to compensate breeders for the damages incurred with the assistance of EU money. The presence of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed at four farms in Slovakia so far. ko/df