Researchers discover virus type of mouth and claw disease in Hönow

Researchers discover virus type of mouth and claw disease in Hönow

A worrying outbreak of the mouth and claw disease (MKS) shaked Hönow in the Märkisch-Oderland district. In a herd of water buffalo, all 14 animals were infected, three of which were died and the remaining eleven were specifically killed to prevent the disease from spreading. The farmer, who runs a organic farm, is under special observation because he has not moved into any feed from outside for weeks. The exact transmission paths have so far been still unclear how rbb24.de reported.

Thanks to the rapid investigations by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), the specific virus type O could be identified. This is a crucial progress, since suitable vaccines are available in the MKS-Antigenbank Germany and can be made available within a few days. As the FLI emphasized, however, the use of the vaccine depends heavily on the actual spread of the virus. Extensive tests are currently taking place in all claws within a radius of one kilometer to be able to better assess the situation, as bz-berlin.de reported.

extensive measures initiated

In order to stop the spread of the MKS, a surveillance zone around Hönow, which extends ten kilometers, were set up. This applies not only to the Märkisch-Oderland district, but also parts of the neighboring district of Barnim and the city of Berlin. During the surveillance zone, preventive measures such as the installation of warning signs are intended on the access routes. The Berlin Senate said that all affected companies are monitored. So far, however, there are no further MKS cases in Berlin after a suspicious sheep in Marzahn-Hellersdorf has been tested and found as not infected. The current situation illustrates the serious challenges that the authorities face to ensure animal health and keep the virus in chess.

bz berlin