Foot and mouth disease: How dangerous is it for people?

Foot and mouth disease: How dangerous is it for people?

animal disease
Foot and mouth disease – how high is the risk for people?






After the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in water buffalo in Brandenburg, the authorities see little risk for humans – but are calling for vigilance.

A few days ago, foot and mouth disease (FMD) was detected in a herd of water buffalo in Hönow, Brandenburg. The disease is highly contagious for even-toed ungulates such as cattle, pigs and sheep and there is no treatment. The animals suffer from extremely painful blisters and open areas on the tongue, lips, throat, udder and in the gap between their claws. They can hardly eat or walk, many lose weight, and cows produce less milk. Young animals often develop fatal myocarditis.

For humans, however, the disease is considered largely harmless; only a few have been infected through close contact with sick animals. Between 1921 and 2007, around 40 cases were documented worldwide. Mild symptoms such as fever and blisters on the mouth, fingers or toes are typical (not to be confused with hand, foot and mouth disease, which is common in children and is caused by another virus).

The foot-and-mouth disease virus could survive in raw milk

Nevertheless, there are a few rules you should follow when dealing with animals and food. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) does not expect transmission through pasteurized milk or milk products. However, the virus can remain infectious for a long time in raw milk products, frozen or cured pork. The authority therefore generally advises against raw milk – but especially for pregnant women, children, older people and sick people – because it can contain even more pathogens such as listeria or the gastrointestinal germ Campylobacter. Meat should be heated thoroughly before eating: to 70 degrees for at least two minutes.

Foot and mouth disease

Sheep farmers see their profession at risk

But especially because of the high economic risks, carelessness when dealing with meat, dairy products or animals is not appropriate at the moment. Because every flare-up of foot-and-mouth disease immediately results in drastic trade restrictions: The Netherlands has already stopped the import of fattening calves from Germany, and Great Britain does not allow German cattle, sheep, pigs or their meat into the country. The industry fears losses of between several hundred million and one billion euros due to the small outbreak in water buffalo alone.

There is therefore great concern that FMD will continue to spread. The virus can survive in the soil for years and spread not only directly from animal to animal, but also through dirty shoe soles, car tires or even a discarded sandwich. Dogs, cats or horses can be contaminated with the virus even if they show no symptoms. Visiting a farm with your dog or throwing leftover food into the bushes should be even more taboo than usual at the moment. In any case, it has been forbidden to bring meat, sausage or dairy products from non-EU countries for years. According to initial analyses, the virus variant detected in Brandenburg could come from Asia, for example from Turkey or Iran. Foot and mouth disease has been circulating in both countries for a long time.

Source: Stern

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