Microcharacterization of FMD (Foot and Mouth Disease) risk in Uruguay

Abstract

In ecosystems free of foot-and-mouth disease, "risk management" is a priority activity to maintain the status achieved. This achievement has to be supported by a solid prevention structure that has the active participation of all social actors. In this framework, a first microcharacterization work was carried out in Uruguay with the objectives of: - Identifying areas of risk of introduction of the agent using the current political-administrative organization of the country and the national geographic reference system. - Provide a work methodology to the local veterinary services in order to obtain a diagnosis of the situation, which allows the development of prevention actions, adjusted to the epidemiological reality. The purpose is to decentralize and strengthen local units. A survey of different risk indicators for the introduction of the disease was carried out by the official veterinarians of the Animal Health Directorate in each police section of the country. The country was mapped according to the cluster analysis, identifying high, medium and low risk areas for foot-and-mouth disease. It is recommended to keep the knowledge of the variables handled and others that can be identified updated, including them in the model. This methodology can be used in areas that are in an advanced stage of eradication of the disease.