Los cattle under two years will not be fully immunized against aphtose fever in the next annual period of June but only those under one year of age will be vaccinated, which will save around US$ 1.8 million in vaccines, in a category that already has sufficient immunity. Around 1.7 million head of cattle from the Uruguayan rodeo would be involved in this change.
The change in the annual vaccination schedule was confirmed by The country Roque Almeidaveterinarian delegate of Federated Agrarian Cooperatives (CAF) in the Honorary National Commission for Animal Health (Conhasa), a tool that since its creation has become the main point of contact between all public and private sector actors linked to animal health, establishing a communication channel to exchange information, solve problems and coordinate agreed activities.
The change that was proposed by the Rural Association of Uruguay (ARU) before the Conhasa was unanimously approved by all the members and soon the authorities of the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP), will issue the corresponding resolution endorsing the change.
“All the calves received this year a dose against foot-and-mouth disease in the general vaccination of the cattle herd. Those born in 2020 were vaccinated, some in February and some in June. Now they must enter the general vaccination plan against foot-and-mouth disease,” Almeida explained.
In the region it has been more than 20 years without outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and in South America much progress has been made in combating the disease, controlling problematic sites such as the triple border (Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil). Likewise, the countries that advanced in their fight against foot-and-mouth disease support those that are slower to come, an important aspect to reduce any possible viral circulation within South America. The actions were always supported by the Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center and its technicians.
Returning to Uruguay, “technically the modification would not cause any negative impact on the immunity of the national bovine herd,” said the CAF delegate in Conhasa. On the other hand, it is important to save almost US$ 1.8 million in vaccines, in animals that already have good immunity.
For the moment, Uruguay will continue to vaccinate and today it has the advantage that Rio Grande do Sul and other Brazilian states have become free without the use of vaccination, they are one step above the local health status, but they also act as a buffer against to any readmission of the disease.
At the Conhasa meeting, held last Tuesday, it was also resolved that the vaccination of the entire bovine herd be done between March 1 and 31, to avoid the heat and maintain good immunity. Until now, all cattle herds were vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease in February or March, and revaccination was carried out in June for categories under two years of age, to strengthen their immunity.
“Uruguay has clearly shown that there is no viral circulation and that the degree of vaccination is very good. Our proposal was to suspend or eliminate categories of animals older than one year in the June revaccination,” said Pablo Zerbino, veterinarian representing the Rural Association of Uruguay in Conhasa, in statements to Radio Carve’s Value Added.
Every year, the General Directorate of Livestock Services (MGAP) presents to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) scientific evidence that proves the absence of viral circulation and demonstrates the immunity of the bovine herd, which is the only one that is vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease in Uruguay.
These tests serve for the OIE to generate the sanitary status that is taken by the markets that buy meat and products of animal origin.
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