December 7, 2007

FMD outbreak in South America

Ecuador confirmed outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the province of Tenguel, involving 30 cases of animal.

Ecuador's Agriculture Sanitary Service (SESA) reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health about the infected animals on November 22.

The animals were bovines one to four months old. The outbreak occurred due to non-vaccination of the animals which were less than one month old during the last vaccination campaign.

Measures taken to contain the outbreak include restrictions on animal movements inside the country, vaccination of bovine animals in the surrounding area, disinfection of contaminated premises and 10-kilometre quarantine zone around the affected farm.

The source of infection was classified as unknown or inconclusive.

Meanwhile, a prominent British scientist warned Irish livestock farmers about low safety controls in Brazil to prevent the spread of FMD.

Dr. Tony Wilsmore of the Veterinary Epidemology and Economic Research Unit found that non-compliance and the lack of improvement in critical areas of control systems present a real danger for EU farmers, including those in Ireland, into where Brazilian beef is being imported.