Federal States Prepare Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Cattle shows in Salzburg and Lower Austria have been canceled due to foot-and-mouth disease, according to reports from the "Salzburger Nachrichten (SN)". The petting zoo in the Styrian Herberstein Zoo has been closed as a precaution. The Cobenzl estate in Vienna has decided to restrict access for unregistered visitors.

Cattle shows canceled due to foot-and-mouth disease

The Maishofen National Pinzgauer Show, planned for Sunday in Salzburg and well-known in the region, and the association cattle show have been canceled since April 1. The cancellation of the show was made purely as a precautionary measure, the organizers said according to the SN. In Lower Austria, the cattle show Pielachtal, also planned for Sunday, fell victim to the virus, as the market town of Hofstetten-Grünau announced on its homepage. The breeding cattle auction in Bergland in Lower Austrian Melk, which was supposed to take place on Wednesday, was also canceled. "If a positive case were to occur in connection with the auction, all stocks of the attending businesses would be classified as contact businesses - with massive economic consequences for all involved." Measures were also taken at Schloss Hof (Gänserndorf district) near the border with Slovakia. Due to current official requirements, visits and contact opportunities with susceptible species in the animal world (petting zoo) are "restricted until further notice," it was announced. Last week, "comprehensive preventive measures were taken for all susceptible animal species and the entire stock was relocated to the outdoor paddocks" and thus placed far away from the visitor area, it was stated upon request. Vacated enclosures were occupied with horses and donkeys.

In addition, disease mats and hand sanitizers were installed at three entrances to the Schloss Hof grounds, and cycling and walking paths around Schloss Hof were closed. Furthermore, a double fence system was erected. Schloss Hof is located in the surveillance zone. About 100 animals were tested at the end of last week, "all samples were negative," it was stated upon request.

Foot-and-mouth disease: Petting zoo in Styria and steppe animal park in Burgenland closed

In the Herberstein Zoo in Eastern Styria, the petting zoo has been closed as a precaution. This is a preventive measure to respond to the spread of FMD in neighboring countries. It was emphasized on Facebook that it is purely a precautionary measure. In Burgenland, the Pamhagen Steppe Animal Park remains closed for the time being. When it can reopen will be announced on the website.

Vienna also prepares for Foot-and-Mouth Disease

The family-favorite adventure farm Landgut Cobenzl in Vienna also announced on its homepage that it will temporarily close due to foot-and-mouth disease. The exception: Pre-registered groups will be accompanied by a supervisor who ensures that children do not come into contact with cloven-hoofed animals. Additionally, a barrier to the cloven-hoofed animals has been installed, as stated on the website.

The University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni) has also reacted: Since last Friday, a disease mat has been placed at the entrance to the campus. Additionally, no cloven-hoofed animals, camels, or horses from Slovakia and Hungary are being accepted. Animal transports with the Vetmeduni animal rescue are also not taking place at the moment.

The Vienna Zoo Schönbrunn has also recently taken precautionary measures to protect its animal population. For safety, the petting zoo has been temporarily closed. Further steps include the temporary removal of Turopolje pigs and a partial closure of the Tirolerhof.

(APA/Red)

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