Tocantins concludes study and proves absence of viral circulation of foot-and-mouth disease

The state of Tocantins completed the study that aimed to prove the absence of viral circulation of foot-and-mouth disease in its herd.

The study was conducted in partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) and the University of São Paulo (USP), following scientifically established epidemiological criteria.

The results of the 1,171 biological samples analyzed by the Federal Agricultural Defense Laboratory in Pará (LFDA-PA) demonstrated that there was no reagent material, confirming the absence of the disease. In total, 53 rural properties, located in 44 municipalities, were involved.

The Agricultural Defense Agency (Adapec), responsible for carrying out the study, began collecting material in March 2024, following the guidelines of the National Foot-and-Mouth Disease Surveillance Program (PNEFA).

Absence of viral circulation of foot-and-mouth disease

The president of Adapec, Paulo Lima, highlights the importance of advancing the state’s health condition and ensuring achievements such as national recognition of being free from the disease without vaccination, obtained in March this year.

“We carry out serious work, with a lot of responsibility to increasingly advance in health conditions and ensure great achievements, such as the national recognition of disease-free status without vaccination obtained in March this year”.

The technical responsible for the State Foot-and-Mouth Surveillance Program, João Eduardo Pires, highlights that, after the suspension of vaccination, herd surveillance became the main objective.

“After the suspension of vaccination, our main objective became surveillance of the herd and the study, in addition to ensuring certification and health developments, evaluates the animals’ immunity levels, bringing more security to the sector.”

The seroepidemiological survey is also being carried out in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Goiás and Distrito Federal, which are part of Area 1, defined by the Map.

Vaccination is maintained in 6 northeastern states

The vaccination campaign against foot-and-mouth disease continues in the states of Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas and part of Amazonas, in the months of May and November 2024.

Producers must purchase vaccines from authorized resellers and ensure adequate storage between 2°C and 8°C. The vaccine must be applied with new needles, on the neck of each animal.

The vaccination declaration must be made within the deadlines stipulated by the state veterinary service. If in doubt, producers should contact their state’s animal health protection agency.