ADVERTISEMENTTruck checks at the Czech-Slovak border have continued for a third week as fears of foot-and-mouth disease spreading throughout the country continue.
Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný said the restrictions could be lifted 30 days after culling the last farm animal infected with foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia.
«The most significant risk is due to transmission through contaminated human objects,» said Jiri Cerny, an associate professor at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague.
«That means on tires and cars, on the soles of shoes, through contaminated food.»
Slovakia declared a state of emergency at the end of March to rid the country of foot-and-mouth disease after three cases were discovered in separate farms.
On Monday, the Slovakian government said it had also reintroduced temporary border checks with Hungary and Austria in response to the escalating outbreak.
The measure, which came into effect on Tuesday, will remain in place until 8 May, according to Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok.
«Although the presence of foot-and-mouth disease has not been confirmed in Austria, the measure is necessary due to the proximity of outbreak areas,» he said.
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral disease of livestock, mainly affects cattle but can also infect swine, sheep and goats.
The virus is preserved in saliva, urine, faeces and milk.
It is transmitted by contact with sick animals, through the air, and on the surfaces of people, tools or vehicles.
But the risk of transmission to humans is very low to negligible.
