Foot and mouth disease outbreak confirmed in Germany
13th January 2025
A highly contagious foot and mouth disease (FMD) has been confirmed in Germany. This is the first outbreak of the disease in the country since 1988.
The disease has been reported in a herd of water buffalo in Brandenburg in the Märkisch Oderland district.
Strict measures have been put in place, including an exclusion zone of 3 km and a surveillance zone of 10 km. No animals or their products can be taken out of this area.
The German authorities confirmed that they are conducting the relevant investigations to find out the origin of the infection.
Foot and mouth is a category A disease that affects all ruminants and swine. FMD is not transmissible to humans.
The impact on the exports of German animal products will depend on the level of recognition of regionalisation by third countries.
The virus can spread very rapidly by direct and indirect transmission. Affected animals have a high temperature, which is followed by the development of blisters chiefly in the mouth and on the feet.
The disease is not usually fatal in adult animals, although many young animals may die. However, it causes severe pain and distress, especially in cattle; animals may be left permanently lame and the productivity of recovered animals may be reduced.
Great Britain has not had an FMD outbreak since 2007.
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