**British Travellers Advised to Be Vigilant Amid ‘Highly Contagious’ Disease Outbreak in Europe**
British holidaymakers journeying to Europe are being urged to remain alert after officials confirmed an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Slovakia, sparking stringent new biosecurity controls at key border crossings, particularly in Central Europe.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has recently released detailed guidance to UK nationals, especially those considering travel to Slovakia and neighbouring countries. The alert follows the Slovak government’s implementation of a heightened state of biosecurity which began in March 2025, in response to the detection of FMD within its borders—a move echoed in neighbouring Hungary and Germany, where similar outbreaks have been recorded.
Particular emphasis has fallen on the increased inspection of vehicles, especially freight lorries, and temporary shutdowns at certain Austrian and Hungarian border points. The Czech government has also reintroduced border checks along its frontier with Slovakia. Travellers seeking up-to-date details about these evolving restrictions are encouraged to consult the Slovak Ministry of the Interior, though information is currently only available in Slovak.
In a series of preventative measures, the UK government has acted swiftly to suspend the commercial importation of animals—including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, and other cloven-hoofed species—from Slovakia. This ban extends to untreated products such as fresh meat and dairy, ensuring an added layer of protection for Britain’s farming sector. Since 8 March, there has also been a prohibition on private individuals bringing meat, dairy, certain animal byproducts, or hay and straw from both Hungary and Slovakia into Great Britain. The government’s decisive steps are designed to shield the nation’s livestock and prevent any accidental introduction of the virus.
Although foot and mouth disease poses no threat to human health or food safety, veterinary officials remain highly concerned due to the disease’s ability to spread ferociously among cattle, pigs, sheep and wild ruminants. The consequences for agriculture can be devastating, resulting not only in decreased animal productivity but also blocked access to crucial international markets for meat and dairy products.
In recent statements, the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Christine Middlemiss, emphasised the necessity for rigorous vigilance across British farms. She highlighted ongoing communication with European counterparts as key to assessing the evolving situation abroad. “Protecting animal health and minimising the risk of disease incursion remains our top priority,” Dr Middlemiss remarked, urging livestock keepers to continue monitoring herds closely, enforce stringent biosecurity, and promptly report suspicious symptoms to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
The government’s stance has been echoed by the Farming Minister, Daniel Zeichner, who defended the swift imposition of import controls from Slovakia as both justified and prudent. He described the confirmation of FMD in three European countries as deeply troubling and underlined the commitment of authorities to take “whatever action is necessary” to block any further encroachment of the outbreak onto British soil.
Concurrently, the government has moved to future-proof the nation’s readiness for such agricultural threats, committing £200 million towards enhancements at the Weybridge science and laboratory facility—the UK’s central hub for animal disease research and diagnostics.
These robust preventative actions underscore the seriousness with which Whitehall is treating the issue, even as no cases have been reported in the UK to date. The call for vigilance is a reminder of lessons learnt in previous outbreaks, where rapid and coordinated responses proved crucial in staving off potentially catastrophic consequences for the agricultural economy.
Travellers planning trips to Slovakia or neighbouring states are urged to regularly consult official government advice and remain informed about any new developments as the situation unfolds. Stakeholders in the farming and food industries are similarly encouraged to maintain the highest biosecurity standards and adhere to government guidance, reaffirming Britain’s collective resolve to keep its livestock sector safe.