G/SPS/GEN/1238  
27 March 2013  
(13-1659)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: Spanish  
 
  SANITARY STATUS CONCERNING  FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE 
2013 
COMMUNICATION FROM PARAGUAY 
The following communication, dated 21 March 2013, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Paraguay. 
 
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  1.  The outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (F MD) that occurred in September 2011 and at the 
beginning of January 2012 in the department of San Pedro had a severe impact on the country's 
health and economic situation. Following immediate notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the latter suspended, wi th effect from 18 September 2011, Paraguay's 
FMD-free zone status with vaccination, which had been recognized by the OIE World Assembly of 
Delegates in Resolution No. XXI of the 75
th General Session of May 2007. The status of the other 
FMD-free area with vaccination corresponding to the high-surveillance zone (former HSZ) was also 
suspended, with effect from 5 December 2011. 
2.  As a result of the outbreaks, the Standing Veterinary Committee of the Southern Cone (CVP) 
entrusted the Pan-American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center (PANAFTOSA-PAHO/WHO) with the overall co-ordination of clinical sero-epidemiological sampling for the detection of FMD virus, with 
support from CVP experts from various countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Uruguay) in order 
to monitor activities at all stages of the study.  As requested by the CVP, PANAFTOSA was involved 
in everything from developing the sampling plan to carrying out the sample collection, animal 
inspections, complementary investigations and laboratory diagnostic tests (ELISA 3ABC, EITB and 
subsequently the Probang test and ELISA for sheep and goats), as well as preparing the report detailing the final conclusions. 
3.  As a result of the immediate response by the animal health emergency system the problem 
was declared officially resolved on 9 March 2012, in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the OIE Terrestrial Code, as well as those established in the PANAFTOSA Manual of Procedures for Attention to Occurrences of FMD and other Vesicular Diseases. 
4.  The outbreaks of FMD proved a great challenge for the country and its National Animal Quality 
and Health Service (SENACSA). Paraguay efficiently demonstrated its capacity to respond immediately to adverse health events, undertaking  a major overhaul of the health system and 
introducing plans for far-reaching changes to the country's vaccination and surveillance systems. 
5.  It is important to note that these actions were recognized by several trading partners, thus 
enabling Paraguay to recover more than 34 bovine meat export markets to date. 
6.  The sampling process also aimed to meet th e requirements laid down by the OIE, and its 
results and conclusions will be submitted to the latter in order to request the reinstatement of Paraguay as a country free from FMD. G/SPS/GEN/1238 
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  7.  We wish to thank PANAFTOSA, the CVP for their cooperation, as well as the experts from 
neighbouring countries who participated in the afor ementioned process. Our thanks also go to the 
European Union for the training it provided for na tional technicians, and the importing countries for 
the trust they have shown by resuming imports of meat and meat products from Paraguay. 
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