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Animal Transport Banned in Brandenburg Following Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak
Brandenburg state authorities have imposed a 72-hour ban on transporting cloven-hoofed animals after a case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was detected in a buffalo herd just outside Berlin. The precautionary measure, which began on Saturday, applies to animals such as cows, pigs, sheep, goats, camels, and llamas. Berlin’s two zoos have also temporarily closed as a safeguard.
Discovery of the Outbreak
The outbreak was identified in Hoenow, a rural area near Berlin, where a farmer reported the deaths of three water buffalo in a herd of 14. Germany’s national animal health institute confirmed on Friday that samples from one of the animals tested positive for FMD. To contain the spread, the remaining animals in the herd were culled.
Nearby, around 200 pigs at a farm in Ahrensfelde will also be slaughtered as a precautionary measure. Authorities are investigating how the disease was introduced to the buffalo herd, though the source of infection remains unclear.
Risks and Impact
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, and sheep, including those in zoos. While the disease does not pose a risk to humans, people can inadvertently spread the virus through contact with infected animals or contaminated surfaces like farming equipment, clothing, and vehicle tires.
Symptoms of FMD in animals include fever, decreased appetite, excessive drooling, and blisters. Although death rates are typically low, the disease can lead to severe illness and disrupt agricultural operations.
Lessons from the Past
The last outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany occurred in 1988, while Europe experienced its most recent case in 2011. A severe outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2001 led to the culling of around six million livestock and incurred economic losses amounting to billions of euros. Critics at the time questioned whether the drastic measures were excessive.
The current outbreak underscores the ease with which the virus spreads through direct contact, airborne transmission, or contaminated surfaces. Infected animals can quickly infect entire herds, making swift containment measures essential.
Ongoing Measures
Authorities are working to trace potential sources of the infection and prevent further spread. Tight international regulations are in place to control FMD outbreaks, and Brandenburg’s ban on animal transport is part of these efforts.
While this is the first reported FMD case in decades, the outbreak serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and biosecurity in protecting animal health and the agricultural economy.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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