EC Investigates Origin of Foot-and-mouth Disease in Central Europe, No Answer

Brussels, March 28 (TASR) - The European Commission (EC) is investigating the origin and mode of introduction of foot-and-mouth disease into Central Europe but it doesn't currently know a credible answer to this question, a Commission expert told TASR on Friday, praising the rapid and appropriate response to the outbreak in Slovakia. The disease was confirmed in Hungary on March 7 and two weeks later in Slovakia. According to the EC, it is very likely that the disease spread to our territory from Hungary. "The laboratory experts deployed say that the virus is the same. It probably spread through the wind. According to meteorological reports, strong winds blew from the south-eastern part of Hungary towards the north-west along the Danube river in such a way that it facilitated the spread of the virus [towards Slovakia]," said the expert, adding that the disease is also airborne. Foot-and-mouth disease was also reported in Germany in January. However, according to the findings, it was a different type of virus and the case is not related to the outbreaks in Slovakia and Hungary. The Commission representative further reported that Slovakia had consistently activated the European Union's civil protection mechanism and had requested assistance from the EU-27. This, he said, had speeded up and facilitated communication with member states that were able to help. am