BRATISLAVA, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The Slovak government declared a state of emergency on Tuesday following the confirmation of additional cases of foot-and-mouth disease -- the first such outbreak in the country in 50 years.
The latest case was detected on a farm in the Dunajska Streda district, near previously affected areas. The government approved a proposal by Agriculture Minister Richard Takac to impose a state of emergency across the entire country, along with the associated measures and restrictions.
Foot-and-mouth disease poses a serious threat to Slovakia's economy, President Peter Pellegrini said. If the virus were to spread further, it could severely impact agriculture and food industries, with potentially devastating economic consequences.
Prime Minister Robert Fico said the government intends to compensate affected breeders for their losses, with the help of European Union funding.
Slovakia had already implemented emergency measures last Friday, after the disease was confirmed at three livestock farms in the southern villages of Medvedov, Narad, and Baka.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious and febrile viral illness that affects livestock and can lead to major economic disruption.
