See also: 26 September 2003 , 5 September 2003 , 30 May 2003, 2 August 2002, 14 June 2002, 7 June 2002

Translation of information received on 3 October 2003 from Dr Bernardo Gabriel Cané, President, National Agrifood Health and Quality Service (SENASA), Secretariat for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, Buenos Aires:

End of previous report period: 20 September 2003 (see Disease Information, 16 [39], 212, dated 26 September 2003).

End of this report period: 3 October 2003.

There are no active foot and mouth disease outbreaks in the country and there are no suspected outbreaks under investigation.

Strategic vaccination continues and movement control (except for immediate local slaughter) and biosecurity measures remain in force.

A new zoning strategy has been established and includes General San Martin and Rivadavia departments (north strip) in Salta Province and Ramón Lista, Matacos and Bermejo departments in Formosa province. In this zone (zone A), intensive strategic sanitary measures have been taken: ban on animal movement (except for immediate local slaughter), ban on entering the zone and blockade for export.

Outside zone A, a surveillance zone (zone B) has been established comprising the neighbouring departments of Santa Victoria, Orán, Iruya and Rivadavia (south strip) in Salta province, Almirante Brown in Chaco province and Patiño in Formosa province. In these departments the vaccination campaign will be brought forward and official movement controls and epidemiological surveillance will be set up.

Source: OFFICE INTERNATIONAL DES EPIZOOTIES - 10th October 2003