Austria Implements Measures Due to Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Neighboring Countries

Due to the ongoing outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in neighboring Slovakia and Hungary, Austria has implemented further measures. In addition to the cancellation of cattle exhibitions in Lower Austria and Salzburg, some petting zoos have been closed as a precaution. On Saturday, 24 border crossings will be temporarily closed, as announced by the Ministry of the Interior. Disease control mats have been laid down to combat the virus.

The Maishofen Bundespinzgau Exhibition, scheduled for Sunday in Salzburg, and the regional cattle exhibition were both canceled. “Although there are no indications of the highly contagious Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Austria, extreme caution is being exercised to avoid unnecessary gatherings of animals,” said the organizers on their website.

In Lower Austria, the planned cattle exhibition in Pielachtal, also scheduled for Sunday, was canceled due to the virus. The breeding cattle auction in Bergland, in the Lower Austrian district of Melk, which was supposed to take place on Wednesday, was also canceled. “If a positive case were to be associated with the auction, all the herds of the attending farms would be classified as contact farms, with massive economic consequences for all parties involved,” the announcement stated.

Petting Zoos Partially Closed

Measures have also been taken at Schloss Hof (District of Gänserndorf), near the Slovak border. Due to current official regulations, visitor access and interaction with vulnerable species (petting zoos) have been “restricted until further notice.” Last week, “preventive measures for all susceptible animal species were implemented, and the entire stock was moved to the outdoor paddocks, far from the visitor area,” said the spokesperson.

Seuche mats and hand sanitizers have been installed at three entrances to Schloss Hof, and cycling and walking paths around the estate have been closed off. Additionally, a double fence system has been erected. Schloss Hof lies within the monitoring zone. About 100 animals were tested at the end of the week, and “all samples were negative,” according to the spokesperson.

The Weißer Zoo animal park in Kernhof, St. Aegyd am Neuwalde, starting its season on Saturday, is also installing disease mats and providing hand sanitizers. Petting the animals will be restricted. At the Tierpark Haag (District of Amstetten), animals are not allowed to be fed.

Virus Not Dangerous for Humans

At the Herberstein Zoo in East Styria, the petting zoo was closed as a precautionary measure to respond to the spread of FMD in neighboring countries. This is a pure precaution, emphasized on Facebook. The virus is harmless to humans but can be transmitted to hoofed animals via shoes and clothing.

In Burgenland, the Steppentierpark Pamhagen (District of Neusiedl am See) is also temporarily closed. The 13-hectare area, which houses about 50 species, is only a few kilometers away from the Hungarian border and is also in the “monitoring zone” in northern and central Burgenland, where all businesses will be inspected in the coming weeks. It is unclear when the Steppentierpark will reopen.

Veterinary University of Vienna Responds as Well

The family-friendly Cobenzl estate in Vienna announced on its website that it would temporarily close due to Foot-and-Mouth Disease. The exception is that pre-registered groups will be accompanied by a supervisor to ensure that children do not come into contact with cloven-hoofed animals. A barrier has also been erected around the cloven-hoofed animals, according to the website.

At the Veterinary University of Vienna (Vetmeduni), a disease mat has been placed at the entrance to the campus since Friday. Additionally, no hoofed animals, camels, or horses from Slovakia and Hungary are being admitted. Animal transports by the Vetmeduni’s animal rescue service are also suspended for the time being.

The Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna has also taken precautions to protect its animal stock. As a safety measure, the petting zoo has been temporarily closed. Additional steps include the temporary relocation of Turopolje pigs and partial closure of the Tyrolean farm.

Measures in Salzburg, Upper Austria, Carinthia, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg

At the Salzburg Zoo, no specific measures are currently in place. However, the zoo located near Schloss Hellbrunn has internally increased hygiene measures, said spokesperson Ulrike Ulmann. This means, for example, that no one is allowed to visit the animals in street clothes, and caretakers must change their clothing.

The Gut Aiderbichl animal sanctuary, with three visitor farms in Henndorf (Flachgau), Iffeldorf near Munich, and Deggendorf in Bavaria, is preparing to remove the cloven-hoofed animals from the three visitor farms. These animals will be taken to farms where no visitors are allowed, according to CEO Dieter Ehrengruber. From the Henndorf visitor farm alone, around 180 cloven-hoofed animals, including alpacas and llamas, will be moved to another, currently empty Aiderbichl farm in Henndorf, which is not accessible to the public. The visitor farm, which is currently hosting an Easter market, will remain open for guests.

At the Schmiding Zoo in Upper Austria, access to the petting zoo has been closed. In the Linz Zoo, the slide that allows dwarf goats to approach visitors has been closed to prevent direct contact, according to an APA inquiry. Otherwise, the signs are still waiting for further developments: existing hygiene measures are being followed more strictly, and experts are regularly advising on the situation to react as necessary.

At the Alpenzoo in Innsbruck, “everything is as usual” for visitors, said zoo director André Stadler. However, preparations are in place if Foot-and-Mouth Disease approaches and official warnings are issued. Quarantine areas have been prepared, and the farm and ibex enclosures may have to be closed to the public in the event of an emergency.

In Carinthia, no precautionary measures have been taken yet. The Alpine Wildlife Park Feld am See will only open its doors again in May due to the season. At the Rosegg Zoo, the situation is being closely monitored: “We are in close contact with the authorities and are exchanging information with zoo and wildlife enclosure associations,” said the head of the zoo, Emanuel Liechtenstein, in response to an APA inquiry. Currently, there is little foot traffic, so “no restrictions are deemed necessary at this time.” “Of course, we are monitoring the situation. We know what precautions we should take – up to and including closure. At the moment, we see no risks for our animals and visitors,” Liechtenstein added.

At the Pfänder Alpine Wildlife Park in Bregenz, precautionary measures are being followed. For example, work shoes are changed before entering the enclosures, work equipment is disinfected more frequently, and care is taken to use equipment only for the respective area, said an APA inquiry. Vigilance regarding the viral disease is also observed in the Feldkirch Wildlife Park. “It doesn’t affect us at the moment, but we are in close contact with the authorities,” said operations manager Christian Ammann. Should there be any directives, they will be implemented immediately. In case of emergency, the park may be closed.