Bolivia and Paraguay report FMD outbreaks

Both Bolivia and Paraguay have reported outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD). In Bolivia, four cases of the disease have so far been confirmed, while 1,004 cattle and 2,500 pigs are being closely monitored. The country has already destroyed the affected animals and has set up quarantine zones and movement controls and is also screening animals. It is believed that Bolivia is soon to embark on a vaccination program. In Paraguay, FMD has been discovered in a district located 3km from the Argentine border and 7km from Bolivia. Three hundred cows will be slaughtered after 13 were discovered with FMD. It has been reported that the disease was first verified on 8 July. Paraguay's 'FMD free with vaccination' status was withdrawn in November 2002 following positive bovine FMD samples. Given Argentina's newly assigned status of 'FMD freedom with vaccination', authorities will be no doubt concerned with these recent outbreaks near the Argentine border. Source: Meat and Livestock Australia