Alagoas fails to achieve recognition as a foot-and-mouth disease-free area

Brazil nationally recognized 16 states and the Federal District as areas free from foot-and-mouth disease. As of May 2, vaccination in these federation units will be suspended, as determined by Ordinance No. 665, of March 21, 2024, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. Alagoas was not on the list, therefore, it cannot suspend the vaccination of the herd against the disease, which will take place in the months of May and November.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a disease that affects animals with split hooves — which separates them from the ground — such as cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep and pigs. Because there is no treatment, these animals end up harmed. In addition to Alagoas, the states of Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba and Pernambuco are also not free from foot-and-mouth disease.

“All animals diagnosed with foot-and-mouth disease must be euthanized in order to prevent the spread of the disease to other animals. So, the farmer has to take all these precautions. Have vaccinations up to date for all cattle, and in addition, if there is a disease, separate in quarantine the animals that can be recovered — and those that are in an advanced state of disease”, highlights animal law specialist Luciano De Paoli.

Veterinarian Lucas Edel explains that failing to vaccinate is a sign of vigilance and care. “Since 2016, the Ministry of Agriculture began planning, a strategic plan to begin the process of Brazil becoming a free country without vaccination, which is very good for the country. If we are vaccinating it is because there is a risk. If we stop vaccinating, it is because this risk no longer exists or is almost zero. And then we end up just doing surveillance to prevent this virus from arriving again,” he says.

The transition process from areas free from foot-and-mouth disease with vaccination to free without vaccination is foreseen in the Strategic Plan of the National Surveillance Plan for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (PE-PNEFA). The goal is for Brazil to become completely free of foot-and-mouth disease, without vaccination, by 2026.

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