Germany has confirmed an infection of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in a herd of water buffalo in Märkisch-Oderland, Brandenburg. This is the first reported case since 1988. The German authorities have taken control and protection measures, with further tests being conducted to determine the exact nature of the virus.
FMD, a severe and fast-spreading viral disease that primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals, can have devastating economic impacts on livestock herds. Symptoms include fever, blisters on the feet and mouth, loss of appetite, drooling, and lameness. In affected cases, most herds are culled to prevent further spread.
The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has acknowledged Germany’s official FMD outbreak notification, emphasizing the importance of early detection and rapid response in containing outbreaks. WOAH notes that while FMD is not a public health issue, its transmission can be easily facilitated by international trade, posing a threat to European agriculture.
This marks a rare instance of an FMD case in Europe, with the last reported positive case being in Bulgaria in 2011. However, FMD remains endemic in other regions, including Turkey, the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia and South America.
Source: https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/livestock-management/germany-reports-first-fmd-outbreak-in-nearly-40-years