Authorities in Hungary have confirmed the presence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on a further two farms, bringing the total number of outbreaks there to four.

The country's National Food Chain Safety Office said that the presence of the disease was confirmed by laboratory testing. The outbreaks occurred in Gyor-Moson-Sopron county, where the two previous outbreaks also occurred.

Symptoms of FMD were observed on the two farms, in the settlements of Darnozseli and Dunakiliti yesterday (Tuesday, April 1), and were confirmed today (Wednesday, April 2).

Both cattle herds - one with 1,000 cattle and the other with 2,500 - previously had negative laboratory test results on March 11 and March 21.

Authorities have ordered the immediate vaccination of all animals on the farms to minimise spread of the virus until the animals are culled.

As with other outbreaks, a protection and surveillance zone will be established around the outbreak sites.

Investigations are underway into the source of the infection, primarily focusing on finding potential 'contact farms' related to the infected farms.

Earlier this week, authorities in Slovakia confirmed a fifth case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the country, and assigned members of the defence forces to assist police in enforcing animal movement restrictions and decontamination of vehicles.

The latest outbreak in Slovakia occurred on a 3,400-head cattle farm in the municipality of Plavecky Stvrtok, which, unlike the previous four outbreaks, did not occur on the border with Hungary, but in the far west of the country near the border with Austria.

However, authorities indicated that some animals on this farm had direct contact with animals on a Hungarian farm.

All 3,400 animals at the latest outbreak site are set to be culled. Authorities are evaluating possible locations for the disposal of carcasses.

The Slovakian ministry of internal affairs confirmed that members of the defence forces will now be involved in the work of enforcing measures and controlling the spread, alongside the police and fire services.

The country’s cabinet has agreed to allocate professional soldiers to assist the police in measures at border crossings with Hungary and Austria. These measures are primarily related to the decontamination of arriving vehicles.

Last week, the government of Slovakia declared an official state of emergency as part of its response to these FMD outbreaks.

Speaking in the Dáil today, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said: "The recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Hungary, Slovakia and Germany have highlighted the ongoing threat posed by the disease to Irish livestock.

"My department has comprehensive contingency plans in place to deal with FMD, covering suspect cases, confirmed disease outbreaks, and how we would eradicate the disease following an incursion," the minister said, in response to a question from Louth TD Erin McGreehan.

The minister said that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is carrying out an ongoing public awareness campaign on the threat posed by the disease, including through posters displayed at airports.

"I can confirm there has been no movement of FMD-susceptible species...into Ireland from any of the impacted areas since January 1, 2025, which is the potential risk period," the minister said.