Berlin Zoo to reopen after closure due to foot-and-mouth outbreak

The Berlin Zoo plans to reopen on Friday, two weeks after shutting down as a precautionary measures after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was detected outside the city, the zoo announced on Wednesday.

Some precautionary measures will remain in effect as the zoo welcomes back visitors for the first time since authorities confirmed a case of FMD in a dead water buffalo from a farm just north of Berlin.

It was the first known case of FMD in Germany since 1988, and the first in the European Union in several years.

"Areas with close contact to susceptible animal species, such as water buffalo, reindeer, bison and the petting zoo with sheep and goats, will remain closed as a precautionary measure," said the zoo.

Distancing rules will apply in other areas, according to the zoo.

The highly contagious disease can spread rapidly in cloven hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs.

Although it poses no danger to humans, the potentially devastating impact on livestock and wildlife means that confirmed outbreaks are treated with major alarm by authorities.

Since the outbreak was firm confirmed on January 10, there have been no further confirmed cases.

"If you have had contact with ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, alpacas, llamas or fallow deer in Berlin or Brandenburg in the last 10 days - for example on a farm, riding stable, in a petting zoo or while hunting - the Berlin Zoo asks you to refrain from visiting the zoo at the moment," the zoo said.

The zoo also asked people who live in the area around the affected farm in the town of Hönow, or have visited the area in the past 10 days, to also stay away from the zoo for the time being.

Zoo Director Andreas Knieriem said that reopening is essential to secure the zoo's continued existence.

"I am overwhelmed by the numerous donations that have reached us," he said, but added those donations could not fully compensate for the loss of revenue.