Authorities in Brandenburg, Germany, have imposed a 72-hour ban on the transportation of animals after foot-and-mouth disease was detected in a water buffalo herd just outside Berlin. The precautionary measure, effective from Saturday, includes cows, pigs, sheep, goats, camels, and llamas. Additionally, Berlin’s two zoos were temporarily closed as a safety measure.
The outbreak was first discovered when a farmer found three of the 14 water buffalo dead in Hoenow, a town near Berlin, on Friday. Germany’s national animal health institute confirmed that one of the animals tested positive for the highly contagious disease. As a result, the entire herd was slaughtered. The exact source of infection remains unclear.
In a further effort to contain the disease, authorities announced that approximately 200 pigs at a farm in Ahrensfelde, located near the site of the outbreak, would also be slaughtered as a precautionary measure.
Foot-and-mouth disease, a viral illness that primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, and sheep, is known for its rapid transmission. While the disease does not pose a direct threat to humans, people can inadvertently spread it through contaminated clothing, footwear, or farming equipment. Symptoms in animals include fever, excessive drooling, blisters, and a decrease in appetite.
This disease has had a significant impact in the past. In 2001, an outbreak in the UK led to the culling of around six million livestock, costing billions of euros. The outbreak also sparked controversy, with some farmers claiming the response was excessive.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, as foot-and-mouth disease spreads quickly through direct contact or airborne transmission, potentially infecting entire herds. The last outbreak of the disease in Germany occurred in 1988, while the most recent case in Europe was reported in 2011.
Animal health experts are working diligently to track the virus’s movement and prevent its further spread, as strict international regulations govern the transmission of the disease. These measures are crucial to safeguarding livestock and ensuring the health of the agricultural sector.
