On April 25, 2001, Uruguay reported to the OIE an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the state of Soriano, near the border with Argentina. To date, two premises are affected. Test results from the ELISA test indicate the virus is type A. Samples have been sent to PANAFTOSA for confirmatory testing. All susceptible animals on the affected premises are being slaughtered and movement restrictions have been put in place for susceptible animals, animal products, and feeds in Soriano.

Uruguay's last outbreak of FMD was in October of 2000 and was due to type O virus. It was in northern Uruguay, near Artigas, close to the border with Brazil. CEI's Impact Worksheet on the October 2000 outbreak can be found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/fmd_uruguay1000e.htm. The Impact Worksheet looks at Uruguay's position in the international marketplace, its production and trade statistics, relevant US imports, and passenger traffic arriving in the US from Uruguay.

Prior to the October 2000 outbreak, Uruguay had been considered free of FMD. In response to the October 2000 outbreak, USDA, APHIS restricted importations from the then affected region of Artigas. These restrictions have not since been lifted. In response to the current outbreak, Uruguay has suspended the issuing of all export certificates for relevant animals and animal products. APHIS has implemented restrictions on animal products and byproducts from all of Uruguay, unless those products were processed in a manner to inactivate the FMD virus. The effective production date for enterable fresh, frozen, or chilled meat is on or before March 22, 2001.