Ecuador aims to be declared free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination for cattle and buffalo by 2027, following a strategy supported by the World Organization for Animal Health.
Ecuador is taking significant steps towards attaining a certification from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) declaring it free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without the need for vaccination by 2027. The announcement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries states that the official notification to cease vaccination against FMD will take effect from January 29, 2026, marking a pivotal change in the national health strategy concerning animal diseases.
The decision is backed by evidence demonstrating the absence of viral circulation and a robust control and surveillance system in place. Furthermore, this shift is expected to save the nation approximately $6 million annually, providing economic benefits alongside the health advantages for the national livestock population. The achievement would consolidate Ecuador’s status as free from the disease, relying on the absence of outbreaks since 2011, and reinforcing the protection of the national herd.
Currently, the OIE classifies continental Ecuador as a country free from foot-and-mouth disease with vaccination, and this progression towards an FMD-free status without vaccination illustrates the effective management of animal health risks. If successful, this initiative not only paves the way for better management of the livestock sector but also enhances the country's international trade opportunities in animal products, fostering economic growth.
