Maul and claw disease: Red alarm level in the Märkisch-Oderland district!

In the Märkisch-Oderland district in Brandenburg, information on an infection with the mouth and claw disease (MKS) was found in a water buffalo stock on January 9, 2025. The State Laboratory Berlin-Brandenburg immediately informed about the laboratory results, which led to an immediate blocking of the inventory by the veterinary office. On January 10, 2025, the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) confirmed the finding, whereupon the killing of the inventory and the harmless elimination of the animal body.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Nutritional Economics, Environment and Consumer Protection (Mleuv) Brandenburg imposed a 72-hour ban on all movements of claws. To implement these measures, a general dispute from the Havelland district is issued. Among other things, this provides that animal movements are prohibited and animals of receptive species have to be locked up at their location. Disinfection mats are to be interpreted at the entrances and outputs of stables, while house slaughter are also prohibited. In addition, a protective zone with a radius of at least three kilometers and a surveillance zone with a radius of at least ten kilometers will be set up for the outbreak. The districts of Märkisch-Oderland, Barnim, Oder-Spree and the city of Berlin are affected

special measures and epidemiology

The investigation into the cause of the infection is currently still underway. The veterinary office receives support from the country's animal disease control service and the FLI. Maul and claw disease is a highly contagious animal disease that affects all claw animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, roe deer and deer. The disease is caused by an RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. Infected cattle show symptoms such as high fever, apathy and bladder formation on their mouths, teats and claws. Sheep and goats are also susceptible and can spread the virus. 

The disease usually takes fatal in calves and piglets, but in any case leads to lameness and low milk yield. Since treatment options are missing, the club of infected stocks is necessary. People can infect themselves in rare cases, but the disease courses are usually benign. The consumption of dairy products and meat is also harmless under hygiene regulations.

The transmission of the mouth and claw disease is usually done by direct contact with infected animals, but can also be widespread by the wind up to 60 kilometers. The incubation period is usually three to six days. All living things or objects that come into contact with an infected animal can continue to transmit the virus. If an infection is determined, all animals of a courtyard and often also surrounding stocks must be killed and all buildings and devices are disinfected. MKS is considered one of the most economically serious animal diseases.

The authorities have already initiated control and protective measures. Lower Saxony is currently not affected by the defined restricted zones. However, the nationwide outbreak led to Germany lost its status as "MKS-Free", which is associated with trade restrictions. Current outbursts in third countries increase the risk of introducing the virus into the EU, such as Animersucheninfo.niedersachsen.de reported.