Economy 28 January 2025, 8:37am

Deadly virus strikes animals in Hungary, Nébih has ordered a border closure

MTI

The presence of ovine rinderpest, also commonly known as peste des petits ruminants (PPR) has been detected by the laboratory of the National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) in Zala county. The disease has never been found in Hungary before; the animals were transported to Zala from a collection centre in Romania, the Nébih informed state newswire MTI late on Monday.

According to the announcement, the eradication of the affected flocks is ongoing. Until further action is taken, no consignments of small ruminants - sheep and goats - are allowed to enter Hungary from Romania.

The Nébih laboratory detected the virus in samples taken from a livestock farm in Szentgyörgyvölgy, Zala county. The animals were transported from a collection centre in Romania to Hungary on 15 January.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a viral disease of sheep and goats with acute febrile symptoms and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and digestive tract. This disease is notifiable and can cause significant economic losses.

the stamping out of the affected stocks is ongoing.

The veterinary authority has established a protection zone of 3 km radius around the farm and a surveillance/monitoring zone of 10 km radius, which extends into Slovenia. Screening of sheep and goats in the affected areas has started.

Cover photo (for illustration purposes only): Getty Images