Germany Confirms First Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak Since 1988

Germany has reported its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in nearly 40 years, confirmed in a herd of water buffalo near Berlin. Three buffalo tested positive for the virus, which poses a significant threat to cloven-hoofed animals, leading to their euthanasia and the establishment of a 3-kilometre exclusion zone along with a 10-kilometre monitoring area to prevent further spread. The disease, while not harmful to humans, can cause severe economic damage to livestock farming. Authorities are investigating the source of the outbreak, but no national or international containment measures are currently planned. Germany and the EU are recognized as free from the disease, which is prevalent in parts of the Middle East, Africa, and South America. This incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of livestock to infectious diseases, necessitating robust biosecurity measures.