Austria grapples with a growing sense of unease as the government has drastically closed its borders with Slovakia and Hungary in response to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

This highly contagious viral disease, which primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, and pigs, has prompted swift action from Austrian authorities, leading to tightened controls and widespread concern among the public.

According to reports from various news outlets, Austria initially implemented stricter border measures last week to curb the spread of the disease.

However, as the situation escalated, the country closed 24 border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia, effective Saturday, April 5.

Posts found on X first highlighted this development, with users noting the closures were a direct response to the outbreak, signaling a rapid deterioration of the situation in the region.

Reuters reported that the Austrian Ministry of Agriculture confirmed the presence of foot-and-mouth disease in livestock near its eastern borders, raising alarms about potential economic losses in the agricultural sector.

The ministry emphasized that the border closures were a precautionary measure to protect Austria’s farming industry, which could face devastating consequences if the disease spreads further. “We are acting decisively to contain this outbreak and safeguard our livestock,” a ministry spokesperson stated.

BBC News elaborated on the broader implications, noting that the closures have disrupted travel and trade between the three nations. Slovakia and Hungary, both members of the European Union alongside Austria, have expressed frustration over the unilateral decision, arguing it undermines the bloc’s principle of free movement.

The BBC also pointed out that veterinary experts are working to trace the outbreak’s origins, with preliminary findings suggesting it may have spread from neighboring regions outside the EU.

Meanwhile, AP News highlighted the human dimension of the crisis, reporting on the growing panic among Austrian citizens.

Residents near the affected borders have voiced concerns about food supply chains and the potential for the disease to jump to other species, despite assurances from health officials that foot-and-mouth disease poses no significant risk to humans.

“It’s unsettling,” one farmer told AP. “We’ve seen what this can do to herds—it’s a nightmare for anyone who depends on livestock.”

CNN provided additional context, noting that this is not the first time Europe has faced such an outbreak.

The last major foot-and-mouth crisis in 2001, primarily in the United Kingdom, resulted in the slaughter of millions of animals and billions in economic losses.

Austria’s current measures, CNN suggests, reflect a determination to avoid a similar fate, though the border closures have sparked debate about their proportionality and effectiveness.

Posts trending on X have amplified the sense of urgency, with some users speculating about the outbreak’s scale and others criticizing the government’s response as either too harsh or insufficiently proactive.

However, without official data on the exact number of cases or affected areas, much of this remains inconclusive, underscoring the need for caution when interpreting social media sentiment.