A dangerous outbreak of the disease closes 23 border crossings.
The Austrian authorities announced a temporary closure of 23 border crossings with both the Slovak Republic (Slovakia) and Hungary, starting Saturday, as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, which poses a significant threat to livestock.
The decision also includes the closure of a private road in the Nickelsdorf area, while the main border crossing there will remain open, according to the Ministry of the Interior and the police. According to a statement from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, these closures are considered an effective measure that relies less on human resources compared to inspections conducted at open crossings, and they will be implemented with varying degrees of severity.
The closure includes two crossings with Slovakia and 21 crossings with Hungary, in coordination with the relevant health authorities, particularly in the regions of Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) and Burgenland, as well as representatives from the Landwirtschaftskammer (Chamber of Agriculture) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Tourism.
The decision is effective until May 20, and during this period, the police will continue to implement health monitoring measures, which include stopping vehicles, inspecting them, and checking documents.
In light of this escalation, authorities advise avoiding any non-essential travel to the affected border areas to prevent the spread of the disease into Austria. This move is considered part of broader efforts to protect the agricultural and livestock system in the country.