Foot and mouth disease in Hungary

Following confirmation on 7 March 2025 by the Hungarian Chief Veterinary Officer of the detection of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in a dairy herd in the Gyor area of Hungary, close to the Slovakia border. Hungary has now lost its FMD free status.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals. It causes very significant economic losses, due to production losses in the affected animals and due to the loss of access to foreign markets for animals, meat and milk for affected countries. FMD does not infect humans and does not pose a food safety risk.

Defra are in contact with Hungarian counterparts and are working closely with the Devolved Governments to prevent an incursion from imported goods. We will keep you updated as the investigation progresses.

For more information on the import restrictions please visit the GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/imports-and-exports-of-animals-and-animal-products-topical-issues#foot-and-mouth-disease-import-restrictions