Foreign deployment for AFDRU: On March 23, the disaster relief unit of the Austrian Armed Forces was alerted as part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to help Slovakia combat foot-and-mouth disease. A total of 52 soldiers will be deployed on March 26.
As a result of the outbreak of the disease, several thousand cattle have to be killed and disposed of in the affected areas of Dunajská Streda and Komárno. The task of the army specialists is to support the local emergency services in containing the disease and thus preventing it from spreading.
“The rapid and professional support provided by the Austrian Armed Forces shows once again that we are a reliable partner in international disaster control. The fight against foot-and-mouth disease requires coordinated measures to contain it and effectively support the affected regions,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner in an initial statement. “The deployment of our soldiers is also necessary to protect Austria and its animals and prevent the disease from spreading across borders. Our special forces are well prepared and will provide the necessary assistance in close cooperation with the Slovakian authorities.”
“Good neighborly relations require swift action. I therefore welcome the fact that the Austrian Armed Forces are using their expertise to support the Slovakian authorities in dealing with foot-and-mouth disease. This is not only about helping our neighbor to contain the disease, but also about preventing the highly contagious pathogen from spreading to Austria,” emphasizes Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger.
In addition to the 52 people, the Austrian Armed Forces are also sending 18 vehicles, including six special vehicles, and equipment to the Dunajská Streda operation area. This area is located around 40 kilometers southeast of the Kittsee border crossing.
With this AFDRU decontamination team, the Austrian Armed Forces provide the “only certified element available in this area throughout the EU”, according to the Armed Forces dispatch. This element was also used successfully in the fall of 2024 during the outbreak of avian flu in Lower Austria in autumn 2024as it says. “The experience gained from this deployment enables efficient and high-quality implementation of the necessary measures in Slovakia.”
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