Hungary suspects biological attack behind foot-and-mouth outbreak

Hungary is currently dealing with its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in over fifty years, which was first reported in mid-March 2025 on a cattle farm in the northwest region near the borders with Austria and Slovakia. This outbreak has led to the culling of thousands of cattle, with over 3,500 slaughtered as health authorities work to contain the virus and prevent further transmission. Increasing cases prompted border closures in both Austria and Slovakia, highlighting the potential for wider ramifications in the region's livestock industry. The World Organisation for Animal Health acknowledged the outbreak and reported that the disease posed no danger to humans; however, it causes serious health issues for affected cloven-hoofed animals, leading to significant economic impacts. Notably, this outbreak has led to severe trade restrictions, further straining the agriculture sectors in Hungary, Austria, and Slovakia. For instance, on April 2, 2025, Hungary implemented military support to enforce disinfection measures near border regions. Consequently, Austria closed 21 crossings into Hungary in response to the outbreak. Hungarian authorities, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, raised troubling questions over the origin of the virus. Gulyas disclosed to the media that authorities are considering the possibility of an artificial origin for the virus, hence the mention of a biological attack. Such claims, although grounded in verbal information from foreign laboratories, remain unverified. Gulyas emphasized that this suspicion cannot be dismissed entirely, indicating the seriousness with which the government is treating the matter. The implications of a possible biological attack would greatly concern both public and livestock health as well as food security in the region. In response to the outbreak, inspections have been conducted across nearly 1,000 farms, with only a handful returning positive results for foot-and-mouth disease. Nevertheless, the culling measures and border restrictions have left many farmers in distress. Paul Meixner, a dual citizen who owns one of the affected farms, reported significant financial losses of 1.5 billion forints due to the compulsory slaughter of his livestock. Despite this setback, Meixner has indicated plans to rebuild his operations, underscoring the resilience of local farmers in the face of adversity and the urgency for long-term solutions to prevent similar outbreaks in the future. The situation in Hungary serves as a significant reminder of the vulnerabilities present in agricultural biosecurity. Overall, the ongoing situation raises essential questions about the safety of livestock, the potential for artificial manipulation of pathogens, and the broader implications of agricultural health for regional economies.