For the first time since 1988, Germany has reported a case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Brandenburg. Three water buffaloes in the Märkisch-Oderland district were affected, confirmed by the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut. This highly contagious viral disease impacts cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. It can also infect various zoo and wild animals, leading to prolonged performance decline without treatment options.
The outbreak has prompted investigations into potential pathways of the virus introduction. Historically, Germany and the EU have been officially recognized as free from FMD. However, the disease remains prevalent in regions like Turkey, the Middle East, Africa, parts of Asia, and South America. Illegally imported animal products from these areas pose a continuous threat to European agriculture.
The last major outbreak in Europe was in 2001, which severely impacted the UK and other European countries. The recent incident in Brandenburg has led to the culling of affected animals to prevent further spread. Despite its impact on livestock, FMD is not harmful to humans consuming pasteurized dairy or cooked meat products.
The re-emergence of FMD highlights the need for stringent biosecurity measures and monitoring of animal imports to protect the agricultural sector. The situation is being closely monitored by local authorities and experts to contain any potential spread of the disease.
