German authorities have banned animal transport in the state of Brandenburg and temporarily closed both of Berlin’s zoos as a precautionary measure.
The decision follows the detection of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in a herd of water buffalo near the German capital, according to reports from DPA and AP.
The outbreak was identified on a farm in Hönow, marking the first case of FMD in Germany in 37 years and the first-ever occurrence in Brandenburg, DPA noted. Germany’s Federal Veterinary Service confirmed the presence of the virus in samples taken from one of three deceased water buffalo. The remaining 11 animals in the herd were culled. The exact source of the infection remains unclear.
As part of precautionary efforts, 200 pigs from a farm in Ahrensfelde are also set to be culled. The ban on animal transport, which came into effect on Saturday, applies to cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and other animals, including camels and llamas. Zoo officials emphasized that while the virus poses no risk to humans, it can be carried on clothing, potentially spreading the disease.
Understanding Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Foot-and-mouth disease is a viral infection that primarily affects cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed animals. While the mortality rate is typically low, infected animals often experience fever, loss of appetite, excessive salivation, and blistering. The virus spreads easily through physical contact, air, and contaminated surfaces. Humans can inadvertently transmit it via agricultural equipment, footwear, clothing, or vehicle tires that have come into contact with the virus, according to AP.
