Foot-and-mouth outbreak: A man-made virus?

‘We may be dealing with an artificially engineered virus.’ – Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyás.

Hungary – rocked by its first foot-and-mouth outbreak in over 50 years – is scrambling to contain the highly contagious virus that has already triggered mass culls and border closures. Now, officials are raising eyebrows with fears it may not be a natural outbreak, but something far more sinister: a ‘biological attack’ on Europe. But what are the facts? Is this a case of bio-warfare in the heart of the continent – or just an unfortunate coincidence wrapped in chaos? Read on to find out.

The virus, which spreads like wildfire among cloven-hoofed animals, has already forced the mass culling of thousands of cattle and triggered border chaos across Europe.

More than 3,500 animals were slaughtered in a desperate bid to stop the spread after the disease was first detected last month on a farm in north-western Hungary, close to the Austrian and Slovak borders. Authorities are urging people to remain calm. The virus poses no significant threat to humans. Rare human cases have occurred in the past under specific conditions, but the virus cannot spread between people.

Now, both Slovakia and Austria have slammed shut dozens of border crossings to halt the virus in its tracks. Slovakia has even declared a state of emergency after cases popped up on five farms in the country’s south. But here’s where it gets even more unsettling.

‘An artificially engineered virus’

At a recent press briefing, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyás, floated the possibility that they “may be dealing with an artificially engineered virus.” He added, “It cannot be ruled out that the virus was not of natural origin… we may be dealing with a biological attack.”

While Gulyás stopped short of pointing fingers, he admitted the suspicion stemmed from verbal information passed on by a foreign laboratory. So far, there’s no concrete evidence – but the rumour mill is turning.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious virus affecting cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and deer. Infected animals suffer painful blisters around the mouth, nose, and hooves, along with fever. While it poses no danger to humans, it can bring an entire farming economy to its knees. Trade bans, supply shortages, and mass slaughter are just the start.

Hungary, home to around 861,000 cattle – roughly 1.2% of the EU total – has already taken a major hit.  

UK rattled by outbreak

The UK, clearly rattled by the potential spread, has already taken action. Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner announced that from Saturday, April 12, all travellers from EU countries will be banned from bringing in meat or dairy products from cattle, sheep, goats or pigs.

“This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot and mouth,” Zeichner said. “That is why we are further strengthening protections by introducing restrictions on personal meat and dairy imports to prevent the spread of the disease and protect Britain’s food security.”

Meanwhile, decontamination zones have been set up at border crossings, and authorities across Europe are on high alert.

With the virus creeping across national borders and whispers of a manmade plot swirling, one thing is clear; this is no ordinary outbreak.

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