A severe foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak has been confirmed in a buffalo herd near Berlin, marking Germany's first case in 35 years. This highly contagious viral disease primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, sheep, and pigs, spreading swiftly through direct contact or airborne transmission. In response, authorities have enforced transportation bans and initiated the slaughter of affected livestock within Brandenburg. Protective and surveillance zones have been established to contain the virus, with zoos and animal parks temporarily closed to prevent further spread.
The impact stretches beyond Germany, prompting neighboring countries like the Netherlands to impose precautionary transport restrictions on calves. Additionally, South Korea has halted imports of German pork, a significant economic blow given its reliance on this market. Although the disease rarely results in high mortality rates, its capacity to severely debilitate animals and disrupt agricultural operations remains a major concern. The last FMD outbreak in Europe occurred in 2011, underscoring the necessity for stringent biosecurity measures to prevent such occurrences. Continuous testing and monitoring are underway to ensure the situation remains under control, with efforts focusing on preventing further outbreaks across Europe.
