First outbreak of the mouth and claw disease in Brandenburg since 1988!

in Brandenburg there has been an outbreak of mouth and claw disease (MKS), the first in Germany since 1988. A water buffalo herd in Hönow, in the Märkisch-Oderland district, is affected. According to information from Bild.de , three animals, and the disease was suspected on Friday morning Friedrich-Loeffler Institute confirmed.

The responsible authorities immediately initiated the initial measures. The Vice-District Administrator Freidemann Hanke informed about the situation and explained that two blocking circles are being built around the affected company. All eleven water buffalos of the herd are killed, and 15 animals in three nearby companies are considered endangered. In addition, a third herd of the same animal owner in the Oder-Spree district is examined. It remains unclear how the animals have become infected.

Important measures for containment

The blocked zone has a radius of three kilometers, while the surveillance zone has a circumference of ten kilometers and extends to Berlin and the Barnim district. Brandenburg's Minister of Agriculture Hanka Mittelstädt commented on the serious situation. MKS is a highly contagious and dangerous animal disease, which affects cattle, pigs and other pairs such as goats, sheep and deer. Zoo and wild animals, including elephants, can also fall ill.

According to the report of zdf.de , people are practically not receptive to the MKS virus, so that according to Friedrich-Loeffler institut, there is no danger to consumers of Pasteurized milk and meat. The last MKS cases in Germany occurred in 1988, and the risk of introducing them from other countries remains high.

The symptoms in sick animals are high -grade fever, loss of appetite, apathy and bladder formation on the mouth, the tongue and the claws and teats. Lameness can also occur. Early detection of infections is crucial for containing the disease. If an infection detection, the entire animal population is killed in the affected company, and strict measures apply to claw animals in the area, including disinfection of stables, vehicles and devices.