Background on Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and its Impact
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle, sheep, and pigs. The recent outbreak in Mexico has caused significant concern, leading the United States to close its southern border to livestock from Mexico in May. This decision strained the bilateral relationship between the two countries, as they share a land border of over 3,000 kilometers.
Recent Developments and Progress
According to Mexico’s Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), active FMD cases have decreased by 57% from December 10 to January 7, falling from 1,145 to 492.
Current Situation
SADER reported that 95.7% of the cases are concentrated in nine out of Mexico’s 32 federal entities. These states are primarily located in the southern region of Mexico: Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Campeche, Guerrero, and Puebla.
Progress in Containment Efforts
Four states previously affected by FMD – Morelos, Querétaro, Jalisco, and Nuevo León (bordering the United States) – have been declared FMD-free. Four other states – Tamaulipas, Michoacán, San Luis Potosí, and the State of Mexico – have fewer than 10 cases each, which are currently being managed.
New Sterile Insect Production Facility
SADER announced the progress of a new sterile insect production facility in Chiapas, which is 48% complete and expected to begin operations in the first half of the year. This facility will double the weekly production of sterile insects to 200 million, aiding in the eradication of FMD.
Control Measures
To prevent further spread, the National Service of Sanitary, Physico-Chemical and Food Inspection (Senasica) has initiated an emergency plan in Tamaulipas’ northern region and the north of Veracruz. This plan includes intensive surveillance, on-site direct attention, and targeted release of sterile insects as a suppression strategy.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is FMD and why is it significant? Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals. The recent outbreak in Mexico led to the United States closing its southern border to livestock from Mexico, impacting both countries’ agricultural industries.
- Which states are currently affected by FMD? The majority of active cases are in the southern Mexican states: Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Campeche, Guerrero, and Puebla.
- What measures are being taken to control the spread of FMD? SADER and Senasica have implemented various strategies, including a new sterile insect production facility, intensive surveillance, and targeted release of sterile insects to aid in the eradication of FMD.
- Which states have been declared FMD-free? Morelos, Querétaro, Jalisco, and Nuevo León have been declared FMD-free.
- What is the progress of the new sterile insect production facility? The facility in Chiapas is 48% complete and expected to begin operations in the first half of the year, doubling weekly sterile insect production to 200 million.
