2294 part 1 final report.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

Prevention and control of animal diseases worldwide
Part I: Economic analysis: prevention versus outbreak costs
5.1.1.2. Key AH problem areas
Argentina was selected as a representative case study in the Americas because of the FMD relevance. Due
to the fact that FMD, particularly in South America, has proven to be a challenge not facing any one
country alone, a regional approach is very important for addressing this animal health problem. Such an
approach is increasingly being taken by the various countries in the region as will be discussed in the
following sections. Therefore, Argentina is being presented here not only on its own merit but also in the
context of its role in the South American region.
FMD is a recurrent disease in South America and appears to be endemic in Bolivia, Ecuador and
Venezuela. The disease occurs sporadically in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru, Colombia and Brazil.
In particular, FMD serotypes O, A, and C are known to occur in the affected regions. The general FMD
situation in South America significantly improved during the 1990s, due both to regional initiatives 95 and
efforts made by individual countries (Figure 12).
Since 2000, however, a number of countries have reported new and significant outbreaks including
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The evolution of FMD outbreaks in Argentina during 1990-
2005 closely mirrors the general trend in South America as depicted in Figure 11. This situation has
resulted in major trading setbacks for the region.
A significant part of Central and South America are currently recognised as FMD-free without or with
vaccination, but some of the countries that are not recognised have significant export potential, including
Argentina and Brazil for which only certain zones are recognised FMD-free 96 . The impact of FMD,
particularly in Brazil and Argentina, has global implications since these are major world exporters of
meat. In the case of Argentina, when the first outbreak occurred in 2000, the country had only recently
gained recognition from the OIE as being FMD-free without vaccination 97 .
The OIE currently recognises two exporting zones in Argentina with respect to FMD status. The zone
situated south of the 42° parallel (South Patagonia) is recognised as “FMD-free without vaccination”,
while the zone situated north of the 42° parallel is recognised as “FMD-free with vaccination” 98 . The
95 Since 1987, an Hemispheric Plan for the Eradication of FMD (PHEFA) has been put in place by the countries of
South America. Clinical cases of FMD decreased considerably throughout the continent: during the early 1990s
national laboratories diagnosed an average of 766 cases per year in South America, but by the late 1990s the
continent-wide average had fallen to 130. In 1999, clinical signs of FMD were absent in 60% of all cattle on the
continent (which represented 41% of all South American herds and covered 60% of the continent’s geographical
area) (A160).
96 According to data from PANAFTOSA/PAHO-WHO, OIE FMD zoning in South America covered as at the end of
2005 78% of the total cattle population (which represented 60% of all South American herds and covered 53% of the
continent’s geographical area). [PANAFTOSA: Pan American FMD Centre]
97 In May 1997, Argentina achieved the classification of FMD free with vaccination, in accordance with Chapter
2.1.1 of the OIE Code. In May 2000, the status of FMD free without vaccination was achieved.
98 For the various implications of vaccination see section 4.2.1.4.
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