Wednesday Brought Easing of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Restrictions

Extensive relaxations of the protective measures against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) came into effect in Austria on Wednesday. At the Klingenbach border crossing (Eisenstadt-Umgebung district), the last disease control mat was removed in the morning. Deputy Governor Anja Haider-Wallner (Green Party) called it a "joyful event." A total of 681 vehicles and 700 people were turned back at the borders, the Ministry of the Interior reported on Wednesday.

In ten concerning cases, there was a notification to the responsible district administrative authority. According to the ministry, more than 300 law enforcement officers were deployed at the border.

"It Paid Off"

The last restricted zones in Lower Austria and Burgenland were lifted on Wednesday, and smaller border crossings to Hungary and Slovakia reopened. Haider-Wallner (Green Party) expressed her delight that the spread of the disease could be prevented. The measures lasted for 49 days, which was a long time for the staff of the state's building directorate, the veterinarians, the police, and the armed forces. Commuters also had to endure border closures and waiting times. "But it paid off," thousands of animals were saved as a result, said Haider-Wallner, thanking them all. "The effort was enormous and the commitment exemplary."

From April 2 to May 20, a total of more than 650 clinical examinations and inspections were conducted in the surveillance and further restricted zones by 20 official veterinarians and 19 epidemic doctors appointed by the Veterinary Directorate. Over 11,000 animals were examined and sampled, and 1,631 farm inspection visits were conducted. These revealed no evidence of an FMD infection.

"It was a difficult time, but nothing comes from nothing," stated the Deputy Governor and further appealed to the population to exercise caution, as foot-and-mouth disease has now occurred in Turkey. Therefore, the import of meat or raw milk should continue to be avoided.

Multiple Disease Carpets

The employees of the Directorate of Construction, in turn, set up 13 disease carpets at state road border crossings in Burgenland and, in cooperation with Asfinag, seven disease carpets at the two motorway border crossings Kittsee and Nickelsdorf. The disease carpets were operated by the Directorate of Construction and the Federal Army. Around 40,000 liters of concentrated formic acid were mixed into 800,000 liters of a four percent solution and then applied, explained State Councilor Heinrich Dorner (SPÖ) and spoke of a "good day" in view of the dismantling of the disease carpets and the lifting of the barriers at the 21 small border crossings.

A total of 84 soldiers were deployed in assistance by the Federal Army. The Deputy Military Commander of Burgenland, Raimund Wrana, was also pleased that the operation could now be successfully completed. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) stated in a press release: "The Federal Army was able to quickly and effectively support the containment of foot-and-mouth disease."

The costs for the measures cannot yet be quantified, explained Haider-Wallner in response to a question at the press conference. They are borne by the federal government.

(APA/Red)

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