Foot and Mouth outbreak in Brazil

Another outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has been reported in Brazil this week, located on an island on the Amazon in the eastern region of the state of Amazonas. The outbreak, announced by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, which has been confirmed in four cattle from a herd of 34, was 500km from the internationally recognised FMD-free zone. The area has been quarantined and cattle movements within the country restricted. As with a similar case in the neighbouring state of Para earlier this year, this outbreak is well within the area of northern Brazil recognised as having FMD and, as such, is unlikely to affect Brazil's beef trade access.