Rio de Janeiro, November 14, 2024 (PANAFTOSA/SPV-PAHO/WHO) – As part of the 2021-2025 Action Plan of the Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (PHEFA), the Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health Center of PAHO/WHO has developed an online course on foot-and-mouth disease, available in three languages: Spanish, English, and Portuguese.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a severe viral disease that affects livestock, including cattle, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. It is highly contagious and has significant socio-economic consequences. In countries free of foot-and-mouth disease, any reintroduction would result in losses exceeding 8 billion dollars, along with a massive social impact, particularly among impoverished populations.
The course, specifically aimed at rural producers, livestock farmers, official veterinarians, and workers in the animal production sector, such as slaughterhouses, agroindustries, animal transporters, and veterinary colleges, was created in response to requests from countries in the Americas.
The training aims to strengthen knowledge and skills in the prevention, surveillance, and response to this disease. Those interested can access the free course through the PANAFTOSA training portal:
- Spanish: Course in Spanish
- English: Course in English
- Portuguese: Course in Portuguese
Although foot-and-mouth disease is not a direct public health risk, it continues to raise concern for both affected countries and those free of the disease due to its significant social and economic impact.
The eradication of foot-and-mouth disease is part of PAHO's Elimination Initiative, which aims to eliminate more than 30 diseases by 2030 in the Americas.
