Mouth and claw disease
Germany free of mouth and claw disease- restricted zone away
The mouth and claw disease appeared in Brandenburg in January. The last restricted zone is now canceled. Is there a risk?
Germany is again considered free of the mouth and claw disease (MKS) around three months after the outbreak in Brandenburg. The world organization for animal health (WOAH) had approved an application by the states of Berlin and Brandenburg, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, said the Brandenburg Ministry of Agriculture. This means that the restricted zone around the person concerned in Hönow will be lifted again.
According to the ministry, all studies on MKS in pets and wild animals that are receptive to the plague were negative. For Germany, the status has again been a MKS-free without vaccination since Monday. The districts of Märkisch-Oderland and Barnim also received the status back.
Driven further despite the cancellation
All trade restrictions that were still valid for the restricted zone are eliminated with the approval, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Agricultural Minister Hanka Mittelstädt (SPD) warned of risks. “Despite this extremely positive development in Brandenburg, there is still a risk of a renewed entry of animal disease throughout Germany from infected areas – especially through travel, food or animal transport.” The danger has increased due to outbreaks in Slovakia and Hungary. The pet owners would have to further implement access restrictions on the pet stock, cleaning and disinfection.
Six kilometers wide blocking zone
For the first time in more than 35 years, the MKS broke out in Germany. The viral disease, which is highly contagious for animals, was discovered in a buffalo herd in Hönow in the Märkisch-Oderland district in January.
The EU Commission had arranged a six-kilometer-wide restricted zone around the outbreak. Restrictions such as a ban on animal transport were applied there.
dpa
Source: Stern
