Austrian Military Prepared for Disease Outbreaks

The Austrian Armed Forces are well-equipped to assist health authorities in the event of an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the country, according to Colonel Jürgen Schlechter, head of the ABC Defense Center in Korneuburg. Currently, 53 personnel from the Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit (AFDRU) are stationed in Slovakia, supporting the EU Civil Protection Mechanism by disinfecting vehicles at the Hungarian border. Colonel Schlechter emphasized that the military's capabilities within Austria are sufficient, and there is no immediate need to recall the Slovakian contingent.

As part of their mission in Slovakia, the Austrian military is the first European unit to conduct decontamination efforts abroad under the EU framework. With a total of eleven decontamination vehicles available for such situations, two are currently deployed in Slovakia. Should urgent domestic needs arise, the military can withdraw its personnel from Slovakia, though this is not anticipated given the existing resources in Austria.

In addition to their operations in Slovakia, soldiers have been deployed in Burgenland for assistance duties. In the case of confirmed FMD cases in Austria, military forces may be dispatched to affected livestock farms. The military is particularly prepared to manage large-scale contamination incidents, which require rapid response. Colonel Schlechter noted that if a farm with a significant number of animals is affected, all animals may need to be culled quickly, presenting a logistical challenge that the military is prepared to tackle.

Decontamination systems are essential in these scenarios, as they effectively manage the highest viral loads present on farms. The military can respond to any affected location, with authorities establishing a quarantine zone. The military then ensures that all individuals and vehicles exiting this zone undergo thorough decontamination processes.

This proactive approach mirrors the military's response during an avian influenza outbreak in October 2024, where thousands of birds were either culled or died due to the disease. The capacity of the military to respond rapidly and effectively to biological threats underscores their crucial role in public health emergency management in Austria.