An outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) was confirmed in Brazil's southern state of Rio Grand do Sul near the border with Uruguay. FMD virus type A was identified. Vaccination, which had been stopped in Rio Grande do Sul in May 2000, has been resumed in areas bordering Argentina and Uruguay.

Brazil's last outbreak of FMD was first identified in August 2000, also in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The virus in that outbreak was type O. Between August and September 2000, a total of 22 FMD outbreaks were confirmed in Rio Grande do Sul. At that time, the ban on vaccination in the state was maintained. In January 2001, Brazil reported to the OIE that serologic testing showed that measures taken had apparently "proved successful in ending the epizootic."

As a result of the August 2000 outbreak, the OIE suspended its designation of Rio Grande do Sul as "free with vaccination." The USDA had not recognized any regions in Brazil as FMD-free.

CEI's impact worksheet on the August 2000 outbreak can be found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/fmd_brazil0800e.htm. In addition, a summary of FMD in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay in the latter half of 2000 is available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/disease_summary0201.htm.