Foot-and-mouth disease risk remains in Lithuania despite no current cases; strict biosecurity measures are advised.
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Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is not currently registered in Lithuania, but the risk of it entering the country remains. Safety measures are being implemented, and strict recommendations are being given to farmers. FMD outbreaks have been reported in countries like Slovakia (5 cases) and Hungary (4 cases), and there are ongoing outbreaks in Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Africa. In Hungary, over 3000 domestic animals were quarantined in response to an FMD case. Neighboring Austria is also implementing strict safety measures, with over 1000 cattle tested in border regions. Imports of certain animal products from Slovakia and Hungary are banned in Austria. Lithuania, while not reporting cases, remains at risk, particularly from contact with infected animals or imported products. The Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Control Service (VMVT) advises farmers to quarantine newly acquired animals for 21 days, maintain strict biosecurity, and avoid contact with infected areas. FMD is a highly contagious, generally non-fatal viral disease in domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals, which causes significant economic losses, primarily to farms. Furthermore, events involving cloven-hoofed animals are banned in Lithuania until the situation is deemed safe.
