The German National Animal Health Institute has confirmed the presence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in a buffalo herd outside Berlin. According to the Brandenburg authorities, a farmer discovered three deceased water buffalo (out of a herd of 14) in Hoenow, a district of the German capital. Samples from one of the deceased animals revealed the presence of the disease, leading to the slaughter of the entire herd. The source of the infection has not yet been identified. As a precautionary measure, the transport of animals has been temporarily banned in the state of Brandenburg. The two Berlin zoos have also been closed, due to the high level of infectious viral disease affecting hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, and sheep. Although humans are not affected, they can act as vectors and infect animals. The virus is spread through contact and via air transmission, and can rapidly infect entire herds, causing symptoms such as fever, decreased appetite, excessive salivation, and blisters in animals. While the mortality rate is usually low, the disease is significant as it can spread rapidly and cause economic losses for affected farmers. The most recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany occurred in 1988, and the last outbreak in Europe took place in 2011.
January 11, 2025
