Is the virus dangerous for people?

by times news cr

Foot and mouth disease has broken out in the Märkisch-Oderland district. What does this mean for people?

The state of Brandenburg reports an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMDV). A herd of water buffalo is affected, three of which have already died from the virus. Experts from the Friedrich Loeffler Institute had previously initiated corresponding investigations, as “Bild” reported.

Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. There have been no more cases in Germany since 1988, meaning the country was actually considered free of FMD.

The virus poses no danger to humans. This also applies to the consumption of dairy products, meat and pasteurized milk, as the Friedrich Loeffler Institute reports on its website. Infections are very rare and harmless.

In most adult animals, infection is not fatal but does result in a persistent decline in performance. There are no treatment options.

Deputy District Administrator Friedemann Hanke (CDU) told “Bild”: “We are setting up two exclusion circles of one and ten kilometers around the affected livestock farm. All eleven water buffaloes in the population are now being killed. A further 15 animals are at risk in three nearby farms.” Herds from the same animal owner in the Barnim and Oder-Spree districts would also be examined.

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