Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

In the 2001 outbreak of FMD in Uruguay, what was a key outcome?

1. Vaccination was stopped after all cattle received two doses of vaccine

2. Cattle, sheep, and swine were all vaccinated to bring the disease under control

3. The vaccination campaign greatly reduced the number of animals required to be slaughtered

4. The vaccination campaign was more costly than slaughter eradication

The correct answer is: The vaccination campaign greatly reduced the number of animals required to be slaughtered

The chosen outcome illustrates the significant impact of the vaccination campaign during the 2001 outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in Uruguay. This outbreak prompted a swift response to control the spread of the disease, demonstrating the effectiveness of vaccination as a disease management strategy. By implementing a vaccination campaign, the authorities were able to immunize a substantial number of animals against FMD, which helped limit the infection's spread and reduce the overall prevalence of the disease. As a result, fewer animals needed to be culled to control the outbreak compared to scenarios where eradication relied solely on slaughtering infected or at-risk populations. This approach not only preserved animal populations but also mitigated the economic impact on livestock producers, ultimately highlighting vaccination as a viable alternative to mass slaughter. This critical outcome reinforces the importance of vaccinations in controlling transboundary animal disease outbreaks. Options that suggest the cessation of vaccination or suggest higher costs related to slaughter without acknowledging the benefits of vaccination do not capture the essence of the effective disease management approach implemented during this outbreak.