Regional Authority Orders Culling of Cattle at Farm in Dolny Stal

Dunajska Streda, April 11 (TASR) - The Regional Veterinary and Food Administration (RVPS) in Dunajska Streda (Trnava region) has issued measures regarding emergency suppressive vaccination and subsequent culling of cattle at a farm in the village of Dolny Stal, the State Veterinary and Food Administration (SVPS) announced on Friday. In addition, a measure was issued banning the movement and reproduction of animals at the farm. The decision was made with the aim of protecting the health of thousands of animals in the locality and preventing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, the emergence of new outbreaks and, last but not least, preventing negative economic impacts, said SVPS. An epidemiological investigation at the Dolny Stal farm revealed intensive contact with a farm in the village of Jurova where the disease has been confirmed. Based on these findings, the farm in Dolny Stal has been classified as a contact farm with an outbreak of the disease, with the risk of the virus spreading being serious and imminent. If a new outbreak is confirmed, it would be necessary to re-demarcate restricted zones within a radius of up to ten kilometres. This would mean testing more than 120,000 livestock, an increased risk of spreading the disease, tougher veterinary measures and significant restrictions on placing products on the market. The chosen procedure fully conforms to the EU strategy for combating foot-and-mouth disease, stated SVPS. ko/df