Almost 200 Irish soldiers heading to Europe for a major exercise have been ordered to be on their guard against a deadly new enemy – foot-and-mouth disease.
The Sunday Mirror has learned that 174 members of the Defence Forces who are travelling to Hungary next month have been given urgent written instructions over a disease flare-up.
The outbreak, which can be fatal in animals, was confirmed in a farm 40kms away from their exercise site.
The soldiers are Ireland’s contribution to the current EU Battle Group, which is on standby for all of 2025 – ready to move anywhere in the world at short notice to respond to any emergency or humanitarian crisis.
There is heightened expectation the Battle Group, headed by soldiers from Germany and the Netherlands, will be sent to Ukraine to act as peacekeepers in the event of a deal with Russia.
As part of that mission readiness, the battle group is conducting several exercises – including one planned for Hungary next month.
The Irish contingent plays a key role in the group – with Defence Forces personnel deployed as a force protection unit. It is their job to guard sites and camps.
That means they have to take part in exercises like that planned for Hungary – but the outbreak of FMD has led military bosses here to take no chances.
They are determined, no matter how small the risk, the Irish soldiers will do everything they can to make sure the disease does not come home with them.
A source told us: “It is a small risk, but the precautions have to be taken.”
Ireland has strict controls to make sure FMD does not get on the island – as it would devastate farming here if it took hold. In 2001, some 1,000 soldiers and gardai effectively sealed off the border after an outbreak in Britain and Northern Ireland.
The disease can be fatal in goats and sheep, and authorities here mounted a major operation to make sure it did not cross the border.
Although some farms in Co Louth were affected, the rest of the State remained free from the disease and military authorities are now going the extra mile to minimise the risk of Irish personnel bringing it back from Hungary.
A circular to soldiers on the exercise, seen by the Sunday Mirror, warns personnel to be extremely careful – especially as the disease can travel on clothing.
The circular warns personnel the disease was detected at a dairy farm in northern Hungary, 40km north of PAPA Airbase, where Irish soldiers will be based. The circular orders soldiers to read an attached advisory form the Department of Agriculture on the precautions they need to take.
And it orders them to leave extra clothing at the Air Corps’ Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, south Dublin, from where they are flying to Hungary next month.
And, when they are in Hungary, it orders them to: "Avoid visiting livestock farms or other places where livestock or wildlife are kept. Shower prior to travel, paying particular attention to fingernails Thoroughly clean all footwear.”
Once back in Ireland, they are ordered to stay away from livestock for at least two weeks. The circular adds: “All personnel will shower in Baldonnel on return; all personnel will change clothing and footwear; all exercise clothing, footwear and equipment will be bagged in plastic bin bags.
“Personnel will be individually responsible to thoroughly wash their clothing and equipment. Footwear will be cleaned and disinfected using a product against FMD.”
We have also learned a German CBRN, or chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, specialist team part of the Battle Group will be disinfecting all personnel every day. A Defence Forces spokesman told us: “While it is important to highlight that Foot and Mouth Disease poses no risk to human health, it does have the potential to significantly impact Ireland’s agricultural sector.
“Given this, the forces took immediate steps to ensure appropriate biosecurity measures were considered for any personnel involved abroad.
“The Defence Forces reviewed the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marines’ (DAFM) Foot and Mouth Disease update, which was promptly circulated among exercise planners to provide guidance on potential biosecurity protocols.
“Recognising the importance of a coordinated response, the Defence Forces’ Operations and Planning Branch engaged directly with DAFM’s National Disease Control Centre to seek further guidance on best practices to minimise risk. The exercise area in question is located outside the affected outbreak zone, and current assessments indicate that the risk remains low, as the outbreak is contained.
“However, as a precautionary measure, the Defence Forces, in close coordination with the Force Headquarters Eurocorps, will implement strict measures for all participants in the exercise area.
“These measures will be fully aligned with the guidelines outlined in DAFM’s Foot and Mouth Disease update, ensuring the highest standards of disease prevention.
“The Defence Forces remain vigilant and will continue to monitor the situation closely, maintaining regular communication with DAFM and other relevant authorities to ensure that any developments are responded to promptly and effectively.”
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