On May 21, the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF) reviewed the findings from full genome sequencing related to recent Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in Slovakia and Hungary. The sequencing was conducted by the EU Reference Laboratory for FMD, which analysed 33 samples selected to ensure broad epidemiological coverage.
The results confirmed that all outbreaks stemmed from a single virus introduction, likely occurring shortly before the first reported case in Hungary on 6 March 2025. Further analysis revealed the virus is closely related to a strain previously identified in Pakistan in 2018.
These findings strongly support the conclusions of national field investigations and highlight the value of genomic tools in tracing disease origins. The European Commission acknowledged the swift response and technical expertise of the EURL and reiterated the importance of combining field surveillance with advanced sequencing technologies.
Investigations remain ongoing, and the PAFF Committee will continue to monitor developments and adapt disease control measures as necessary.
Find more updates on Foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease outbreaks in Europe HERE.
