Histórico e perspectiva da situação sanitária da febre aftosa no Estado de São Paulo

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus of the genus Aphthovirus, family Picornaviridae. FMD has a great impact on the health of animals and, due to high diffusion capacity, it is considered the disease with the greatest interference in the international meat trade. Due to its direct and indirect consequences, the combat against FMD has been a major concern for all those involved with national livestock since the beginning of the last century. As a result of the great efforts, Brazil started to be recognized as an FMD free country and, currently, it seeks to reach a new level, with the suspension of vaccination throughout its territory. The participation of veterinarians was very important in this process and will continue to be essential in future challenges.