Cows drinking in field

German Outbreak Of Foot-And-Mouth Disease – The Importance Of Biosecurity

Germany is currently facing its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in nearly four decades. The disease was detected on January 10th in a herd of water buffalo in Brandenburg. Three water buffaloes  died, and the remaining eleven were slaughtered as a precautionary measure. To date, German authorities are still investigating the main entry route of the virus.
4 February 2025

Upon detection, the German agriculture ministry immediately banned all animal movement for even-toed animals, such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. Nearby farms and livestock farms were also tested for possible infections. Several other countries have been taking precautionary measures, such as blocking the import of German animals, or banning meat from Germany, to prevent further spread.

Two pigs looking through bars in stable

Foot-and-mouth Disease

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. It is caused by the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), which belongs to the Picornaviridae family. Once an animal has been infected with the virus, it can start to show various symptoms such as:

  • fever
  • blisters in the mouth, tongue, and on hooves
  • excessive salivation or drooling
  • difficulty eating or walking
  • weight loss
  • reduced milk production

The Dangers of FMD

This is not the first time farmers have been alarmed by this contagious virus. An outbreak of FMD in the UK back in 2001 demonstrated the extent of the damage this disease can cause. This UK outbreak led to the slaughter of over 6 million animals on infected  and nearby farms, in an attempt to control the disease.

Given how easily this virus can spread through direct contact with infected animals or their secretions (saliva, milk, urine, feces), indirect contact via contaminated equipment, vehicles, clothing, or airborne spread, it can quickly infect an entire herd. Once the virus has been detected in an animal, the entire herd needs to be slaughtered out of precaution, causing dramatic economic losses  for the farmers.

Huwa-San TR-50 and Roam Eco Power Packshots

How To Fight and Prevent FMD

Since there is no cure for FMD, precautionary biosecurity measures on farms are of the utmost importance to minimise the risk of further spread. First of all, it is crucial to thoroughly clean and disinfect the contaminated areas in case of an outbreak. This happens preferably at regular time intervals (eg. when stables are emptied). Our clean – disinfect products are the perfect fit for this job and contribute to good on-farm biosecurity. Cleaning and disinfection starts by using the active foam cleaner, Roam Eco Power, which will remove all excess dirt and the majority of microorganisms. After cleaning, disinfection is in order to eliminate over 99% of the remaining pathogens. Huwa-San TR-50* is the perfect partner in crime for this part of the process, as the product has been proven effective towards viruses.

Besides regularly performing a cleaning and disinfection protocol, quarantine and movement restrictions are two other effective options to prevent any further spread of the disease to other areas. Furthermore, in areas prone to outbreak, it’s advised to organise vaccination campaigns. On the other hand, regular vaccination is advised in endemic regions. Early detection and reporting of suspected cases play a key role in the fight against FMD in order to control the situation.

This German outbreak once again highlights the critical need of strong biosecurity measures to safeguard animal health and the agricultural sector. Would you like to know more about our products or would you like a detailed cleaning and disinfection protocol tailored to your needs? Please don’t hesitate to contact us.

(*) Huwa-San TR-50 has proven virucidal effectivity in drinking water systems according to EN 14476 and EN 16777 and for hard surface disinfection in livestock environments according to EN 14675.

Note: Huwa-San is a biocide and subject to certain laws and regulations per country. As a result, in some countries, our full range isn’t available. Please contact us for more information on our registrations. Use biocides safely. Read the label carefully before usage.