Foot-and-mouth disease has appeared in Germany

By: STA Date: 2025. 01. 13. 11:00

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Foot-and-mouth disease has reappeared in Germany after 37 years. The disease was detected in three free-ranging buffaloes in the state of Brandenburg. Nébih draws attention to the need for increased vigilance when transporting susceptible animal species from Germany.

(Photo: Pixabay)

On January 10, 2025, the German authorities detected the foot-and-mouth disease virus in a farm in the Märkisch-Oderland district of Brandenburg, where 14 water buffaloes were kept. 3 animals fell ill and died on the farm. The German veterinary authority has started an epidemiological investigation, ordered the eradication of the herd, and set up a 3 km protection zone and a 10 km surveillance zone. As an additional measure, a complete ban on the movement of even-toed ungulates for 72 hours has also been ordered.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects cloven-hoofed animals (e.g. cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, buffaloes, wild ruminants)

The main symptoms of the disease include fever, loss of appetite, salivation and the appearance of blisters in the mouth and on the ends of the feet. Foot-and-mouth disease is very rarely transmitted to humans, but due to its high contagiousness and rapid spread in livestock, its appearance has serious economic consequences. Infected animals cannot be treated, so if the disease is confirmed in even one animal on a farm, all even-toed ungulates must be killed.

Nébih draws attention to the fact that increased attention should be paid to susceptible species arriving from Germany. In case of any suspicion, the treating veterinarian and the local animal health authority should be notified immediately!

Nébih