Category FAQ

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD): questions and answers

FAQ issued on 17 January 2025 

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease in cloven-hoofed animals. The FMD virus is not hazardous to humans. On 10 January 2025, FMD was detected on a water buffalo farm in the district of Märkisch-Oderland in Brandenburg. This is the first case of FMD in Germany since 1988. By that, Germany has lost its FMD-free status in accordance with the requirements of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) has compiled a selection of questions and answers below.
 

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD): questions and answers

About the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMELshort forGerman Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture) in Germany. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment advises the Federal Government and the States (‘Laender’) on questions of food, chemicals and product safety. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts independent research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.

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