Austria has closed off two dozen border crossings with its neighbours Hungary and Slovakia in a big to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease and prevent it from entering the country.

Slovakia declared an emergency situation on Tuesday after the disease was found on three farms.

Hungary  had the first outbreak of the highly infectious disease in 50 years on Wednesday, leading the country to deploy soldiers and launch disinfection measures to contain it in area bordering Slovakia and Austria.

The diseases, which poses no danger to humans, mostly affects cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals like swine, sheep and goats. Infected animals experience fever and mouth blisters as part of the symptoms of the disease. Outbreaks often lead to trade restrictions and culls of some livestock.

Austrian health authorities are conducting rigorous checks at the few open border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia. Cars have to cross over an epidemic rug to prevent the virus from spreading. This measure also applies to pedestrians crossing the border on foot.

Police are also searching vehicles at border points for meat products.

Austrian authorities say they’re focusing their police resources at the border while this emergency persists. They added that while border forces are on high alert, they’re also preparing contingencies in case the diseases is detected on one of its farms.