Millions in losses

Austria’s farmers tremble at the risk of epidemics

The disease in question broke out on a Hungarian dairy cattle farm. It is still endemic in Turkey, the Middle East, Africa and many countries in Asia and South America.(Bild: littlewolf1989 - stock.adobe.com)

Several epidemics are currently threatening Europe's livestock populations. In addition to bluetongue, avian flu, African swine fever and peste des petits ruminants, another one has now broken out in Hungary. Spreading the pathogens would be fatal. 

It is one of the most contagious viral diseases in cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, wild boar and other cloven-hoofed animals. Infected animals form blisters, so-called aphthae, on the udder, claws and in the mouth area, which can lead to severe pain on movement, reluctance to eat, high fever and a drop in milk yield.