The confirmation of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Germany has prompted swift reactions from several countries seeking to protect their territories from the spread of this highly contagious disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals.
The United Kingdom has banned the import of animal products from Germany, including dairy, ham, bacon, salami, and cheese, as well as animals susceptible to the virus, such as cattle, sheep, and pigs. This measure aims to prevent the virus from entering the country through contaminated products or infected animals.
Meanwhile, Argentina, through its National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality (Senasa), has suspended the import of products capable of transmitting the virus from Germany. Additionally, the country has reinforced border, airport, and port controls to prevent possible infections.
Although there is no confirmation that Australia has implemented a specific ban on German dairy products, the outbreak has alerted global health authorities, highlighting the importance of preventive measures to contain the virus’s spread.
Foot-and-mouth disease poses a significant challenge to animal health and the global livestock economy, and the countries affected by these measures aim to safeguard the sanitary security of their territories.
