December 7, 2005

Brazil reports four new FMD outbreaks

Four new outbreaks of FMD have been detected Mato Grosso do Sul state in Brazil, following surveillance after the first outbreaks.

Three cases have been found in Mundo Novo municipality and one in Japorã municipality, said the Ministry of Agriculture official Dr. Jorge Caetano Junior.

In Mundo Novo, a total of 369 head of cattle were infected, while in Japorã municipality, 1,072 head of cattle were hit.

Brazilian authorities said that investigations on the outbreak source are in progress and control measures already taken include movement controls, screening and zoning. The authorities will also carry out disinfections in affected premises.

To date, Mato Grosso do Sul has seen 28 outbreaks and 14,785 FMD-susceptible animals destroyed.

Surveillance measures will continue to be implemented, with the other Mato Grosso do Sul municipalities of Eldorado, Iguatemi, Itaquira¨ª, Japorã and Mundo Novo remaining under a ban.

The authorities had previously confirmed 14 outbreaks on Oct 21.

Some 50 countries have placed partial or total embargoes on Brazilian beef, which earned the country US$2.4 billion in 2004.