Since foot and mouth disease was detected in a herd of water buffalo in Brandenburg, Germany on Jan. 10, authorities have not detected any further cases in livestock or zoo and wild animals. Tests carried out at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute's National Reference Laboratory for Foot and Mouth Disease on a suspected FMD case in a goat from the district of Barnim have revealed no evidence of the virus or specific antibodies. The samples were analyzed overnight and confirmed negative Friday morning.

Despite this positive news, the FLI notes testing herds in the surveillance zone must continue so that rapid action can be taken in the event of a further infected animal.

The National Reference Laboratory for Foot-and-Mouth Disease has pinpointed FMD virus serotype O responsible for the recent FMD outbreak. Closely related FMD viruses ca be found the Middle East and Asia, however the exact origin and route of entry into livestock in Germany is still unknown. Authorities note suitable vaccines are available in the German FMD antigen bank, and once activated by the Länder, the FMD antigen bank can produce the necessary vaccines within a few days. 

In addition to vaccination, authorities are testing all cloven-hoofed animals near the affected farm to determine the actual spread of the outbreak.

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FMD primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) and causes fever, blisters on the feet and mouth, loss of appetite, drooling and lameness. However, zoo and wild animals can also fall ill from FMD. Berlin’s Zoo and Tierpark are closed, and no cloven-hoofed animals will be exhibited at the Berlin Grüne Woche trade fair this week.

Most herds affected are culled, as in the case of the 2001 UK FMD outbreak and the loss of more than 10 million animals.

The last time Germany reported an FMD outbreak was in 1988 in Lower Saxony. Europe hasn't had a positive case since Bulgaria in 2011.

FMD was eradicated from the United States in 1929.