The National Service for Animal Health and Quality (Senacsa) in Paraguay launched a nationwide seroepidemiological survey for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on September 1. This operation aims to scientifically prove the absence of the FMD virus, solidify the country's international FMD-free status, and gather crucial data to determine future FMD vaccination policies.
The survey will span four weeks, covering approximately 1,000 cattle farms across Paraguay. The first week covered the Alto Paraguay and Boquerón regions, and the second week focused on Presidente Hayes. The third week will include farms in the northern eastern regions, such as Concepción, Amambay, and San Pedro, with the final week dedicated to farms in the central and southern regions. The Senacsa epidemiological team has already visited 254 farms to check for FMD virus infection and is moving quickly, having collected 1,392 samples from 118 of those farms for immunity analysis.
The collected samples will be sent to Senacsa's central laboratory in Asunción for detailed analysis. The results will be included in the annual epidemiological surveillance report that Paraguay submits to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OMSA, formerly OIE) every November. Since its last FMD outbreak in 2012, Paraguay has continuously conducted such studies to prove the non-circulation of the virus.
A Senacsa epidemiological team official stated, "This survey is an important process that confirms not only the absence of the FMD virus but also the effectiveness of vaccination." He added, "The information obtained will play a key role in establishing important health policies for Paraguay's livestock industry in the future." Based on the survey results, the Paraguayan government plans to maintain its FMD-free status and further enhance its competitiveness in the global meat market.
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