Warsaw’s Zoological Garden has introduced precautionary measures to protect animals from foot-and-mouth disease, following outbreaks in several European Union countries and in regions bordering Poland.
Disinfectant mats have been placed at the entrances, and visitors are being asked to follow new safety rules, including walking through the mats when entering the zoo and avoiding fenced-off areas.
In a statement shared on social media, the zoo said that “out of concern for the safety of cloven-hoofed animals residing in Warsaw Zoo, we are introducing preventive measures to protect the animals in the Zoo from the foot-and-mouth disease virus.”
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral illness that primarily affects livestock such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and deer. It spreads through clothing, shoes, equipment and even by air.
Although humans can carry the virus, infections in people are rare and mild – the real danger is to animals, for which the disease can be severe and often deadly.
The last case of foot-and-mouth disease in Poland was recorded in 1971.
Poland’s agriculture minister, Czesław Siekierski, said on Friday that there are currently no cases in the country, and that no new outbreaks have been reported in Hungary or Slovakia.
However, veterinary patrols have been active since Saturday near Poland’s border with the Czech Republic checking animal transports for signs of the disease. Similar checks are also in place at major crossings in Jakuszyce and Boboszów.
Earlier this year, between mid-January and early March Polish veterinary and border services increased inspections at the southwestern Jędrzychowice border crossing with Germany. The move came after foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed in a herd of water buffalo in the Märkisch-Oderland district of eastern Germany, near the Polish border.
In late March, new outbreaks were confirmed in Hungary close to its borders with Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Slovak authorities also confirmed six separate outbreaks and said the virus had likely entered from Hungary.
In response, Slovakia tightened border controls with Hungary and Austria, closing some smaller crossings. These controls are expected to remain in place until May 7.
