As a precaution, they also closed both zoos in Berlin.
On Saturday, the German authorities banned the transportation of animals in the federal state of Brandenburg, and both zoos in Berlin are also closed as a precaution. The reason is the occurrence of a case of foot-and-mouth disease near the German metropolis, reports TASR based on reports from the DPA and AP agencies.
Foot-and-mouth disease occurred in a herd of water buffalo on a farm in the town of Hönow, near Berlin. This is the first occurrence of this disease in Germany in the past 37 years and the first ever occurrence in Brandenburg, writes DPA.
The occurrence of the virus in samples taken from one of the three dead animals was confirmed by the German State Veterinary Administration. The remaining 11 water buffalo from the herd were culled. It was not immediately clear how the animals became infected with the disease-causing virus, writes DPA. As part of prevention, 200 pigs from breeding in the city of Ahrensfeld will also be euthanized, adds AP. According to the AP, the animal transport ban came into force on Saturday and covers cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and other animals, including camels and llamas. The management of the ZOO said in a statement that the virus does not pose a threat to humans, but it can be transmitted on clothing.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a viral disease that affects cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and other ungulates. Mortality is usually low, but the infection causes fever, loss of appetite, excessive saliva production, blisters and other symptoms in animals. The virus is easily transmitted by touch and through the air and can quickly infect entire herds. People can spread it through agricultural machinery, shoes, clothing and vehicle tires that have come into contact with the virus, AP explains.
