Burgenland wants assistance deployment at border crossings due to foot-and-mouth disease

At the open border crossings in the extended restricted zone - as in Lower Austria - disease mats will be installed. 21 small border crossings will be completely closed in Burgenland on the night of Saturday.

The official request from the state has not yet reached the federal army. However, they are ready to support the health authorities with the foot-and-mouth disease if needed, explained Markus Matzhold upon APA inquiry. The Austrian army is currently deployed in Slovakia with 50 soldiers for decontamination measures.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Border Crossings Closed from Saturday

The 21 small border crossings will be closed from April 5th, 00:00 until May 20th, 2025. Border crossing will still be possible at the major crossings Kittsee-Jarovce, Nickelsdorf-Hegyeshalom 1 and 2, Pamhagen-Fertöd, Klingenbach-Sopron, St. Margarethen-Sopronköhida, Rattersdorf-Köszeg, as well as all crossings in the districts of Oberwart, Güssing, and Jennersdorf. At the open border crossings in the districts of Neusiedl am See, Eisenstadt Umgebung, and Oberpullendorf - this is the extended restricted zone - disease mats were installed on Friday by the state's construction directorate. These are intended to prevent the introduction of the virus by incoming vehicles. These areas, where disinfectant is applied, will then be passed by all vehicles from Hungary or Slovakia. The federal army's assistance deployment is intended to support the disinfection measures at the highway border crossings Kittsee and Nickelsdorf. Additionally, the state is in coordination with Asfinag, it was further stated. There was also an appeal to refrain from unnecessary trips across the borders to Hungary and Slovakia at this time.

Border Closures Due to Foot-and-Mouth Disease Also in Lower Austria

In Lower Austria, in addition to the ferry in Angern an der March and the cycling bridge Schloss Hof, the pedestrian and cycling bridge Marchegg will also be closed. Security and controls will be carried out by the state police directorate. Closed border crossings, as opposed to border controls at open crossings, would represent a less personnel-intensive measure and be carried out "in varying strength and intensity," it was stated from St. Pölten. Measures to combat the disease, such as defining and implementing disinfection measures (e.g., also in the area of border control), are to be ordered by the health authorities.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Disease Mats Also in Lower Austria

At the open border crossings in Hohenau (Gänserndorf district) and Berg (Bruck an der Leitha district), disease mats are being laid and maintained by the Lower Austrian road service, it was stated on Friday in response to an APA inquiry from the state. The goal is to prevent the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease via roadways as much as possible. Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) emphasized that the protection of agricultural businesses is of utmost priority. Therefore, action is being taken quickly, in coordination, and with full determination at all levels - in close cooperation with the state councilor responsible for veterinary and animal protection matters, Susanne Rosenkranz (FPÖ), and Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf (ÖVP), who were thanked for their committed efforts. The state's task force meets continuously to coordinate on current developments and to take necessary measures as quickly as possible, it was emphasized. Involved are, among others, experts from the veterinary directorate, disaster protection, road service, emergency services, and agriculture.

The Ministry of Health published a new regulation on Friday evening with further measures in the fight against the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. The existing import ban on, among other things, fresh meat, raw milk, game meat, and hunting trophies is thus extended to straw and plant-based feed from affected countries. All animal husbandry businesses are also "urged to implement enhanced biosecurity measures, including measures for cleaning and disinfecting vehicles."

Businesses are required to keep visitor logs for non-company personnel. Animals from the extended restricted zone may not be moved as a rule. An exception is only permissible with a negative test result and official approval. "State authorities can stop and disinfect vehicles," the regulation further states. The measures are initially valid until May 20, 2025, parallel to the current border closures.

In the surveillance zone, all animals from a total of eight businesses were examined, as emphasized in the Ministry of Health's release. The examination will be repeated weekly until May 20, which corresponds to the virus's incubation period. In the extended restricted zone, 104 businesses have been visited and sampled so far, and all samples analyzed to date were negative. Further samples are still being evaluated. Within the past week, there have been four suspected reports within the zones, all samples were negative.

(APA/Red)

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