APHIS to Add Region of Argentina to List of Regions Free of Foot-and-Mouth and Rinderpest

APHIS to Add Region of Argentina to List of Regions Free of Foot-and-Mouth and Rinderpest

Washington, August 8, 2014 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is adding the Patagonia Region of Argentina, consisting of Patagonia South and Patagonia North B, to the lists of regions that are considered free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and rinderpest.

In response to the Government of Argentina's request to recognize the Patagonia Region as FMD-free, APHIS conducted an assessment.

Based on the assessment, APHIS determined that FMD is not present in the Patagonia Region of Argentina, and that the surveillance prevention, and control measures implemented by Argentina in that particular region were sufficient to minimize the likelihood of introducing FMD into the United States through the importation of susceptible ruminents and ruminant commodities.  It is important to note that rinderpest has never been established in South America-no South American country has ever reported the disease except Brazil and it was quickly eradicated nearly a century ago.

While the Patagonia Region will be declared free of FMD, the region will be added to the list of regions that are subject to certain restrictions designed to lessen the risk of introducing FMD into the United States, in accordance with APHIS regulations.  These restrictions ensure that there is no commingling of products from regions with a lesser animal health status.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed livestock like cattle and swine.  The disease can be controlled and eradicated with a vaccination; however vaccination can affect the potential risk of FMD transmission through the import of animals and animal products.  A country that no longer vaccinates against FMD presents a lower risk than a country that continues to vaccinate.  The Patagonia Region of Argentina does not vaccinate against FMD, therefore APHIS can recognize the region as free of FMD.

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