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A fast-spreading outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Slovakia has prompted Czech authorities to tighten border controls, restrict truck routes, and prepare emergency veterinary protocols.
While the disease does not pose a risk to humans, it could severely impact Czech agriculture, livestock exports, and cross-border travel and trade—especially as new containment zones are enforced just across the border. Here’s what drivers and travelers need to know.
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What exactly is FMD?
Foot-and-mouth disease spreads through direct contact, airborne particles, and contaminated surfaces. While it poses minimal risk to humans, its economic impact on livestock industries is severe, often necessitating mass culling. It also seriously affects livestock and agricultural production, as less meat and milk are produced during such outbreaks.
How will Czechia be affected?
From midnight this Friday, all trucks over 3.5 tons must enter the country from Slovakia via only five designated crossings: the towns and villages of Mosty u Jablunkova, Bílá, Starý Hrozenkov, Hodonín, and Břeclav-Brodská on the D2 motorway. Trucks transporting animals, feed, or animal products are subject to more thorough disinfection.
Normal passenger cars are unaffected. Drivers and bus passengers should be aware, though, that border crossings may take longer.
How are Czech authorities responding?
Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný has called on the public to avoid agricultural sites and pastures during the Easter holidays. The Czech Tourist Club has also advised hikers to steer clear of grazing areas.
To bolster veterinary controls, the Czech military has deployed two military veterinarians to one crossing, with up to 20 specialists available until May 31.
Several Czech zoos, such as that in Ústí nad Labem, have also prevented people from petting or feeding goats, sheep, and other animals according to Czech media outlet iDnes.
What is Slovakia doing?
Beginning next week, Slovak authorities will implement tighter biosecurity protocols at more than 90 large-scale farms located within 10 kilometers of the outbreak zones. Austria also shut off dozens of border crossings with Slovakia, as well as Hungary, due to the outbreak.
Slovakia’s agriculture minister said the measures were necessary due to a now-insurmountable risk and farmers not being compliant. These include bans on unauthorized farm access, mandatory vehicle disinfection, and limitations on livestock movement.
The crackdown affects farms with over 20,000 cattle and 115,000 pigs in high-risk zones. Slovakia’s interior minister announced that joint patrols of police and military will monitor these areas, while veterinarians will oversee enforcement and inspections.
Is the risk serious?
While no cases have been detected in Czechia since 1975, officials are preparing for all contingencies. Výborný emphasized that, unlike Slovakia and Hungary, Czech authorities would take an individualized approach to culling infected animals rather than impose blanket measures. Emergency protocols are in place, and veterinary teams have conducted simulations at two unnamed companies to test readiness.
Authorities across Central Europe are closely monitoring developments, as the outbreak threatens both public confidence and cross-border trade. This could grossly harm the economy, experts say. The UK government has warned its citizens to avoid visiting farms and forests in affected areas and to follow strict hygiene measures to prevent the disease from spreading.
