Germany is facing a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Brandenburg for the first time in over 35 years, resulting in the deaths of three water buffalo. Precautionary measures include euthanizing the remaining buffalo and establishing a quarantine zone. The virus poses a risk to various livestock, and authorities are investigating its origins. A Bundestag meeting will address the situation, and experts emphasize the economic threat it poses to livestock farms, while noting that the disease is not harmful to humans.
For the first time in over 35 years, Germany is facing an outbreak of the highly infectious foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). In the Brandenburg region, three water buffalo have succumbed to the virus, prompting the formation of a task force to investigate the origins of this outbreak.
The alarming resurgence of foot-and-mouth disease poses a serious threat to local livestock in Brandenburg. State Agriculture Minister Hanka Mittelstädt (SPD) confirmed that the highly contagious virus has already claimed the lives of three water buffalo.
As a precautionary measure, the remaining eleven buffalo from the herd in Hönow, located in the Märkisch-Oderland district, will be euthanized, according to a spokesperson from the district office in Seelow. Observers have noted men in yellow and white protective gear, some carrying rifles, in the area. The affected farm also houses water buffalo in the nearby Oder-Spree district, leading to inspections of other farms within a designated surveillance area.
Risks to Cattle, Sheep, Goats, and Pigs
This outbreak in Märkisch-Oderland is particularly concerning as it marks the first occurrence in years. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) had previously classified Germany and the EU as free from FMD for several years, with the last reported cases dating back to 1988. The virus spreads rapidly among cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, and can also affect many wild and zoo animals.
FMD outbreaks are common in regions such as Turkey, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as many parts of Asia and South America, according to FLI reports. The risk of reintroduction and widespread outbreaks in Europe remains a concern due to increased global trade and travel. Notably, a devastating outbreak occurred in Great Britain in 2001, leading to subsequent cases in other European nations.
Bundestag Addresses the Outbreak
In response to the outbreak, a crisis team has been convened. Tomorrow, Agriculture Minister Hanka Mittelstädt is set to visit the Märkisch-Oderland district. As part of safety protocols, a quarantine zone with a minimum radius of three kilometers will be established, prohibiting animal transports, as reported by the news agency dpa.
The Bundestag is scheduled to discuss the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak next week. Green Party MP Renate Künast announced that the Committee on Food and Agriculture will hold a special session Wednesday at the request of her faction and the SPD. Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir is expected to participate in this meeting.
Experts from the FLI anticipate that it may take until Monday to gather more information about the virus and the ongoing investigations. Agriculture Minister Mittelstädt expressed hope that the research would clarify how the virus entered the area and if any further transmissions have occurred. The seriousness of the animal disease cannot be overstated, as it poses a significant economic threat to livestock farms.
Understanding the Impact on Animals
According to the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, humans are largely immune to the FMD virus. Consuming pasteurized milk or meat from infected animals poses no risk, as confirmed by the FLI.
While the disease typically does not result in death for most adult animals, it can lead to long-term declines in productivity. Symptoms include high fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy, along with the development of painful blisters in the mouth, on the tongue, and on the hooves and teats.
Many affected animals exhibit lameness or difficulty walking due to pain, as explained by the FLI. In sheep and goats, the infection often goes unnoticed. Unfortunately, there are no available treatments, and if a single animal in a herd becomes infected, the entire herd is usually culled as a precautionary measure.