Germany Prepares Vaccine Stockpile as Foot-and-Mouth Disease Threat Persists

Authorities ramp up vaccine production after outbreak in Brandenburg, but the risk of further spread remains high.

Germany has activated its foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine bank to produce stockpiles in response to an outbreak in a water buffalo herd in Brandenburg.
The vaccine will be kept in reserve for potential use if the disease spreads further, though no decision has been made to begin widespread vaccinations.
Agricultural authorities are conducting extensive testing in restricted zones, but the source of the virus remains unknown, and the risk of new cases is considered high.
The outbreak has already caused significant economic repercussions, including export restrictions and projected losses in the hundreds of millions of euros for the livestock sector.
Officials emphasize that the disease poses no threat to humans and are exploring additional financial support for affected farmers.