In 1999 and 2000, Puerto Rico apparently received a large percentage of the US beef imports from Uruguay, although the exact percentage is not clear. These data need to be investigated further. Clinical signs of FMD appeared in cattle and swine on one farm in the northern department of Artigas, Chiflero district, within two miles from the border with Brazil. The affected operation is located near urban areas. Uruguay has defined an outbreak zone with radius 5 kilometers around the affected operation.
Depopulation is planned for all susceptible animals within that zone.
Uruguay had attained internationally recognized FMD-free status in 1995. Uruguay suspended beef exports on 26 October, and the USDA has put a hold on any US imports of animal products from Uruguay. New FMD cases have also appeared in Paraguay. Uruguay ranked 16th in world cattle exports. Mexico imported an undetermined number of live dairy cattle annually from Uruguay in recent years.