BERLIN (AP) — An eastern German region announced on Friday that it is lifting a ban on animal transport that was put in place after foot-and-mouth disease was identified in a buffalo herd last weekend. As of now, no additional cases have been reported in recent days.
Authorities disclosed a week ago that a farmer in Hoenow, located just outside the city limits of Berlin, had discovered three dead water buffalo out of a herd of fourteen. Tests confirmed the presence of foot-and-mouth disease in samples from one of the animals, leading to the culling of the entire herd.
The source of the infection remains unknown. Germany’s animal health institute noted that the most recent outbreak in the country occurred in 1988, with the last one in Europe taking place in 2011.
A ban on the transportation of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and other animals including camels and llamas was instated in the rural region of Brandenburg surrounding Berlin last Saturday. Additionally, the two zoos in the German capital were closed as a precautionary measure. Despite this, the annual agricultural fair, the Green Week, commenced in Berlin on Friday without the presence of cloven-hoofed animals.
The state agriculture ministry in Brandenburg confirmed that the transport prohibition would not be prolonged beyond its expiration at midnight on Friday, as there have been no signs of foot-and-mouth disease spreading at this time. However, a protection and surveillance zone surrounding the location where the disease was first detected will remain in effect.
Foot-and-mouth disease is caused by a virus that affects cloven-hoofed animals. Although mortality rates are generally low, the sickness can induce symptoms in animals such as fever, reduced appetite, excessive drooling, blisters, and other manifestations.
The virus is highly transmissible through contact and airborne means, making it capable of swiftly infecting entire herds. Humans can also transmit the disease via contaminated farming equipment, shoes, clothing, and vehicle tires that have come into contact with the virus.
