The vaccination cycles against foot and mouth disease in Latin American countries are at different stages in each country.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that generates limitations in the global market.

Brazil: the country that wants not to vaccinate anymore

Brazil has some states listed as free of foot and mouth disease without vaccination. By 2021, Brazil expected to achieve the goal of having the entire territory with this status. However, this decision has been postponed until 2023 and it has proposed to re-evaluate and re-organize the calendars.

On the other hand, if Brazil achieves FMD-free status without vaccination, it could reach demanding markets such as Japan. This classification is obtained when successful vaccination campaigns have been carried out and virus circulation has been eliminated. In addition, Brazil has banned the circulation of vaccines in the country and have restrictions on live animals coming from other countries.

Argentina vaccinated against foot and mouth disease

On March 8 and 15, the vaccination cycle against foot and mouth disease began. At the same time, calves between three and eight months were vaccinated against Brucella, according to the National Agrifood Health and Quality Service (Senasa).

However, in Argentina, there were some variations. In Salta, Catamarca, Mendoza, and Jujuy the vaccination campaign was carried out between January and February. In addition, in Chaco and Formosa it was carried out until March 29 due to adverse weather conditions.

Argentina is currently free of foot and mouth disease and expects to maintain this status with the vaccination cycle.

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The vaccination cycle starts in Colombia

On May 10, 2021, the first vaccination cycle against foot and mouth disease in Colombia started. Health authorities expect it to be completed by June 23. In this vaccination cycle, cattle are also immunized against brucellosis in a large part of the territory. On the other hand, in risk areas, vaccination against bovine rabies is also being carried out.

The Colombian Federation of Cattle Breeders (FEDEGAN) is responsible for the vaccination process in Colombia. The objective of this vaccination cycle is to maintain Colombia’s FMD-free status with vaccination.

The vaccination schedule for Uruguay and Paraguay

In Uruguay, the foot and mouth disease vaccination cycle is scheduled to take place between June 1 and 30. The aim is to vaccinate cattle under 2 years of age. In addition, to ensure compliance with the sanitary plan, the movement of animals under 2 years of age has been prohibited during this period.

In Paraguay, the vaccination cycle focused on foot and mouth disease and brucellosis. The sanitary plan started on January 18 and ended on March 12. The objective was to vaccinate 14,000,000 head of cattle and buffalo.