Government anticipates vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease in 5 states

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) announced this Wednesday (24) the anticipation of the vaccination campaign against foot and mouth disease in five states in the Brazilian Northeast, in a measure designed to boost health advances and strengthen national agricultural defense.

O Circular Letter No. 28/2024 was sent to the states of Alagoas, Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Nortewith the goal of completing vaccination by April 30, with no possibility of extension, according to a statement from Mapa.

The decision was taken after a technical assessment by the Animal Health Department of the Agricultural Defense Secretariat of Mapa, together with the management team of the Strategic Plan of the National Foot and Mouth Disease Eradication Program (PE-PNEFA).

The objective is to boost health progress and contribute to the recognition of Brazilian territory as free from foot-and-mouth disease without the need for vaccination.

Brazil aims to become completely free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination by 2026, in accordance with the criteria defined in the Strategic Plan, aligned with the guidelines of the Land Code of the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO).

In addition to the five states in the Northeast, states such as Bahia, Maranhão, Pará, Piauí, Rio de Janeiro, Roraima, Sergipe and part of Amazonas They will also carry out the vaccination for the last time until April 30th.

Producers must purchase vaccines from authorized resellers and keep them at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C, from acquisition until use, including transport and application on the farm.

The application of a 2 mL dose to the neck of each animal must be done with new needles, preferably during the cooler hours of the day.

In addition to vaccinating the herd, producers must declare vaccination with their state’s animal health defense agency within the deadlines stipulated by the state veterinary service.

If you have any doubts, it is recommended to seek clarification from the animal health protection agency in your region.