Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals, with recent cases detected in water buffalo in Brandenburg, Germany. The outbreak has led to animal deaths and the euthanization of others, prompting an investigation into its source. While FMD poses no risk to human health, it threatens livestock and agricultural exports, causing concern among farmers. Emergency measures have been enacted to prevent further spread, including transportation bans on susceptible animals.
Understanding Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an extremely contagious viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. It’s important to note that various zoo and wild animals can also be susceptible to the virus. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) previously recognized Germany and the EU as free from FMD, with the last reported outbreak in Germany occurring in Lower Saxony in 1988 and the last within the EU in Bulgaria in 2011.
Recent Outbreak Details
The recent detection of the FMD virus was confirmed in a small group of water buffalo located in Hönow, Brandenburg, near Berlin. Tragically, three buffalo have died, and eleven others were euthanized as a safety measure. A specialized task force comprising veterinarians and FLI experts is currently investigating the source of this infection.
Infected animals typically exhibit symptoms such as high fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. They also develop distinctive blisters in the mouth, on the tongue, and on their hooves and teats. Many affected animals may experience lameness or severe pain that makes walking difficult. Interestingly, in sheep and goats, the infection can often go unnoticed.
The resurgence of foot-and-mouth disease poses a serious threat to livestock in Brandenburg, raising alarm within the agricultural community.
Understanding the Causes of the Outbreak
While the exact cause of the outbreak remains uncertain, ongoing analysis of samples is being conducted. FLI experts have indicated that the infection likely occurred some time ago, given the condition of the water buffalo’s wounds. As confirmed by an official veterinarian, the affected farmer did not import feed but harvested hay locally. However, the introduction of the virus may have been facilitated by tourists or unintentional food scraps left in nature.
To ascertain the true extent of the outbreak, it is critical to examine all cloven-hoofed animals in the vicinity of the affected farm. This assessment will help determine the potential use of a vaccine, which can be produced swiftly if necessary.
In response to the outbreak, the Märkisch-Oderland district has created a protection zone around the affected farm, and the Minister of Agriculture in Brandenburg has enacted emergency regulations to curb the spread of the disease. This includes a temporary prohibition on transporting susceptible animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats.
The disease can be transmitted through direct contact between animals, as well as via the air. Infected livestock can spread the virus through fluids from blister ruptures, saliva, exhaled air, and milk. Moreover, anything that has interacted with an infected animal—people, pets, vehicles, and even clothing—can facilitate the spread of FMD.
Impacts on Agriculture and Human Health
Despite fears surrounding the disease, the FLI assures that foot-and-mouth disease poses no risk to human health. People are largely immune to the virus, and there are no dangers associated with consuming pasteurized milk or meat produced under standard hygiene practices in Germany. Pets such as dogs and cats also remain unaffected by the disease.
The agricultural sector is deeply concerned about the implications of this outbreak, especially as farms are already grappling with other animal diseases like bluetongue and avian influenza. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture has warned that exports of dairy and meat products outside the EU will likely be severely impacted. Some countries, including South Korea and the Netherlands, have already implemented import bans or transport restrictions on livestock due to the outbreak.
Joachim Rukwied, president of the German Farmers’ Association, has called on government officials to act swiftly to control the outbreak, emphasizing the significant economic consequences for livestock owners, even though the virus does not harm humans.