MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina confirms second FAM outbreak in Corrientes

Argentina announced this week a second case of foot and mouth disease following the confirmation of the disease in a stray cow found in a neighboring paddock to the farm where an outbreak was first reported three weeks ago in the northeastern province of Corrientes.

Three weeks ago Argentina, the world's third beef exporter confirmed that 70 livestock in a farm 25 kilometres from the Paraguayan border had been diagnosed with FAM.

"It's an only cow. All the other livestock from which blood samples were taken proved negative. The cow and all other livestock which had been in contact have been all sacrificed when the first symptoms and suspicions arose", said a spokesperson for Argentina's National Agro-food safety service, Senasa.

In an official release Senasa pointed out that the infected cow did not have proper identification or an owner and did not figure in the vaccination records for the area, which dated back to February 11.

Senasa spokesperson admitted that following rules of the International Epizooties Office, which depends from FAO, the new case is considered another outbreak since it belonged to a different group of livestock. Last February 22 Argentine authorities reported the suspicion, now confirmed that the cow could be infected with the virus.

However Argentina did not consider it a new outbreak since it was inside the three kilometres perimeter of the original cases, but a closer look onto OIE regulations indicates it's an outbreak.

So far almost 20 countries have imposed restrictions on beef imports from Argentina among which Russia, Chile and Israel, the country's three main clients. However many others have limited the ban to beef from traceable livestock coming from the province of Corrientes.

Following the appearance of the first outbreak, Argentina reported the preventive sacrifice of 4.100 livestock in the area. Beef exports and cattle movements in nine counties of Corrientes province were also strictly banned. The decision had effect on 530.000 head of cattle.

Senasa added that the new case "does not modify the sanitary situation in the eight counties interdicted since it happened inside the perimeter of the original outbreak".

Last year Argentina exported 600.000 tons of beef valued 1.390 billion US dollars. Argentine authorities expect beef exports to drop 20% this year as a consequence of the FAM outbreaks. However farmers' organisations believe the impact will be far greater and could reach 40%.