Germany has confirmed its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in nearly 40 years, forcing authorities to halt meat and dairy exports outside the European Union.The outbreak was detected in a herd of water buffalo on the outskirts of Berlin, sparking immediate containment measures to prevent the spread of the highly contagious livestock disease.Foot-and-mouth disease primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats. The disease, while not dangerous to humans, causes fever and painful blisters on the mouths and feet of animals, leading to significant production losses.advertisementImpact on Exports and AgricultureThe World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has mandated that countries free of foot-and-mouth disease must maintain strict control to retain their export certification.Germany’s federal agriculture ministry announced that the outbreak has cost the country its foot-and-mouth disease-free status, resulting in an export ban on meat, dairy, hides, and other animal products to countries outside the EU.What Is Foot-and-Mouth Disease?Foot-and-mouth disease is a viral illness that spreads rapidly among cloven-hoofed animals. It can cause blisters on the feet, snout, and tongue, often leaving animals lame and weak. The disease is highly contagious, spreading through direct contact with infected animals, contaminated objects, or animal parts. The virus can even survive on surfaces and in water for up to a month.While adult animals generally recover, younger animals are at greater risk, with higher mortality rates. Survivors may face long-term production losses, such as reduced milk and meat output, leading to significant economic challenges for farmers.The disease is common in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, parts of Asia, and South America. Countries with outbreaks often face severe economic losses due to restrictions on exports and the need for mass culling to control the spread.Germany’s last recorded case of foot-and-mouth disease was nearly four decades ago, which highlights the rarity of this outbreak.Authorities are now working to ensure that strict containment measures are in place, including movement restrictions and biosecurity protocols, to protect the country’s livestock and agricultural economy.Published By: Daphne ClarancePublished On: Jan 13, 2025

What Is Foot-and-Mouth Disease?Foot-and-mouth disease primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats. The disease, while not dangerous to humans, causes fever and painful blisters on the mouths and feet of animals, leading to significant production losses.Daphne Clarance The disease is common in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, parts of […]

What Is Foot-and-Mouth Disease?Foot-and-mouth disease primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats. The disease, while not dangerous to humans, causes fever and painful blisters on the mouths and feet of animals, leading to significant production losses.Daphne Clarance

The disease is common in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, parts of Asia, and South America. Countries with outbreaks often face severe economic losses due to restrictions on exports and the need for mass culling to control the spread.

Jan 13, 2025Germany’s last recorded case of foot-and-mouth disease was nearly four decades ago, which highlights the rarity of this outbreak.The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has mandated that countries free of foot-and-mouth disease must maintain strict control to retain their export certification.advertisementImpact on Exports and AgricultureGermany’s federal agriculture ministry announced that the outbreak has cost the country its foot-and-mouth disease-free status, resulting in an export ban on meat, dairy, hides, and other animal products to countries outside the EU.Authorities are now working to ensure that strict containment measures are in place, including movement restrictions and biosecurity protocols, to protect the country’s livestock and agricultural economy.Published On: Foot-and-mouth disease is a viral illness that spreads rapidly among cloven-hoofed animals. It can cause blisters on the feet, snout, and tongue, often leaving animals lame and weak. The disease is highly contagious, spreading through direct contact with infected animals, contaminated objects, or animal parts. The virus can even survive on surfaces and in water for up to a month.

The outbreak was detected in a herd of water buffalo on the outskirts of Berlin, sparking immediate containment measures to prevent the spread of the highly contagious livestock disease.Published By:

While adult animals generally recover, younger animals are at greater risk, with higher mortality rates. Survivors may face long-term production losses, such as reduced milk and meat output, leading to significant economic challenges for farmers.Germany has confirmed its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in nearly 40 years, forcing authorities to halt meat and dairy exports outside the European Union.