G/SPS/GEN/1281  
11 October 2013  
(13-5550)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: Spanish  
 
  OIE RECOGNITION OF PERU AS A FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE-FREE COUNTRY 
COMMUNICATION FROM PERU 
The following communication, dated 10 October 2013, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Peru. 
 
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 1.  Since July 2004, there have been no cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Peru. 
2.  In 1998, Peru's National Agrarian Health Service (SENASA) initiated the eradication process 
by launching the National Foot-and-Mouth Disease Programme (PRONAFA) under the 
"Foot-and-mouth disease control and eradication" project financed by a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Activities proceeded along the following five lines: 
a. Characterization of FMD ecosystems so as to identify Peru's high-, medium- or low-risk 
and FMD-free areas. Based on this information, SENASA developed strategies for the eradication process; 
b. implementation of a regulatory framework for the FMD eradication process, which was 
adjusted as progress was made; 
c. establishment of local animal health protection bodies (local animal health committees 
and community leaders) and a support network for PRONAFA activities in remote parts 
of the country; 
d. strengthening of permanent surveillance sy stems by means of yearly serological 
sampling in order to prevent the virus from spreading, timely response to cases of FMD, 
and introduction of animal quarantine measures in strategically placed checkpoints; and 
e. strategic vaccination in high- and medium-risk areas and discontinuation of vaccination 
in low-risk areas. 
3.  An emergency health plan was also formulated and border conventions in northern 
and southern Peru were strengthened. In orde r to carry out the programme, the country was 
divided into three zones: Zone I - Coastal, mountain and forest areas in southern Peru  
(Apurímac, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Ica, Madre de Dios, Arequipa, Moquegua, Tacna, Cusco 
and Puno regions); Zone II - Mountain and forest areas in central and northern Peru  
(Amazonas, Loreto, San Martín, Ucayali, Huánuco, Pasco and Junín regions); and Zone III - 
Coastal areas in central and northern Peru  (Tumbes, Piura, Cajamarca, Lambayeque, 
La Libertad, Ancash, and Lima regions). Each zone was set targets to be met for the purposes 
of recognition by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). 
4.  During the 73
rd General Session of the International Committee held in May 2005, 
the OIE granted the internationally recognized status of FMD-free without vaccination to ten 
regions in Peru (Ica, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Hu ancavelica, Apurímac, Cusco, Puno, Moquegua, 
Madre de Dios and Tacna). During the 75th General Session of the International Committee held 
in May 2007, the OIE granted FMD-free without vaccination status to a further seven regions 
in the country (Amazonas, Loreto, San Martín, Huánuco, Ucayali, Pasco and Junín), G/SPS/GEN/1281 
- 2 - 
  which meant that 88.44% of the national territory  was internationally recognized as FMD-free 
without vaccination. 
5.  During the 81st General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates, held in May 2013, 
the OIE granted the internationally recogniz ed status of FMD-free without vaccination 
to six regions (Lima, Ancash, La Libertad, La mbayeque, and parts of Piura and Cajamarca) 
and FMD-free with vaccination status to three re gions (Tumbes, a part of Piura and the province 
of San Ignacio in Cajamarca). Therefore, 98.36 % of Peruvian territory is now recognized 
as FMD-free without vaccination and 1.64% as FMD-free with vaccination. 
 
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