Mexico’s National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica) ruled out foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the calf with mouth lesions detected at the Agua Prieta quarantine station in Sonora.
Tests conducted at the Palo Alto high-security laboratory confirmed that the animal had bovine papular stomatitis, a viral disease found worldwide that does not pose a significant animal health risk. The results were obtained in less than 24 hours. Mexico has remained free of FMD since 1954.
The suspected case had prompted the precautionary suspension of live cattle exports through the Agua Prieta-Douglas crossing. Operations will resume on Tuesday, October 20, following the cleaning and disinfection of the facilities.
Since the border crossing reopened on August 24, nearly 30,000 calves had entered the United States. Before the interruption, daily flows had increased from around 700 head to approximately 1,300.
