Brandenburg's epidemic exercise: This is how animal husbandry protects itself effectively!

Brandenburg's epidemic exercise: This is how animal husbandry protects itself effectively!

An intensive three-day state animal disease exercise on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) recently took place in Brandenburg. This exercise, which was carried out in Seddin from June 30 to July 2, 2025, aims to test the disease control processes and action plans in a practical test. Agriculture Minister Hanka Mittelstädt underlined the urgency of such exercises: “They offer the opportunity to test and, if necessary, optimize our preparations for an emergency,” said the minister.

The background to this exercise is serious: On January 10, 2025, an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was detected in water buffaloes in the Märkisch-Oderland district. This was the first case in Germany since 1988, and authorities responded immediately by setting up exclusion zones and investigating contact businesses. Fortunately, extensive sampling showed no further cases and Germany was given the status “FMD-free without vaccination” again on April 14, 2025, which is of great importance for international trade, as bmel.de reports.

Preparations and implementation

The exercise, which has been planned since September 2024, meant that official veterinarians in Brandenburg reviewed and updated their action plans. Around 100 participants from various institutions took part in the exercise, including the state laboratory, the animal disease control service and the ministry's state animal disease crisis center. Sampling from various susceptible animal species was practiced, as was the transport of samples of prescribing materials for epidemic hygiene.

The results of these comprehensive exercises will be used to further tailor the control concepts in the country's animal disease control manual. Agriculture Minister Mittelstädt emphasizes that such exercises are essential given the current epidemic hygiene environment, especially after the FMD outbreak earlier this year.

The dangers of FMD

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals that can also affect other animal species under certain circumstances. However, humans are spared from the disease and problems with foods such as pasteurized dairy products are not to be expected. Nevertheless, the disease remains a serious threat to animal health and international trade. Their potential influence should not be underestimated, which is why the federal states in Germany are increasingly responsible for combating such epidemics, supported by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI).

The situation in neighboring countries remains tense. Several outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease affecting numerous animals have been reported in Hungary and Slovakia. There is currently no evidence of a connection between the outbreaks in Brandenburg and Hungary, but surveillance in the affected regions has been increased. Pet owners and doctors are urged to pay attention to symptoms such as fever, drooling and lameness, as early response is crucial.

Close cooperation between the authorities and farmers means that these developments can be responded to quickly. Commitment to prevention and regular exercises turn out to be a powerful recipe against future animal disease-related challenges.