Assessment of knowledge on foot and mouth disease in free zones where vaccination is not practiced in Brazil.

Abstract

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease. Since 2025, WOAH has internationally recognized Brazil as a free zone where vaccination is not practiced. Brazil employs a syndromic system of passive surveillance, where sensitivity depends on identifying clinical signs in susceptible animals. This research evaluates knowledge about FMD in free zones without vaccination. Brazil's official veterinary service attended 1499 cattle herds, and 98.46 % of respondents claimed to know or have heard of FMD. However, 37.69 % correctly recognized all species susceptible to the virus, and 23.74 % correctly identified the clinical signs of the disease. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) revealed that individuals who did not know or had never heard of FMD were more closely related to dairy cattle farming and non-literate respondents. Failure to recognize all susceptible species was linked to those from Santa Catarina, having completed elementary education, owning herds of up to 10 cattle, and mixed production (dairy and beef). The incorrect identification of all clinical signs was related to respondents aged up to 50 years, those with complete or incomplete senior school education, herds of 51-500 cattle, and residents of Rondônia. There are still significant gaps in knowledge regarding clinical and epidemiological aspects of FMD in free zones without vaccination in Brazil. By identifying sociodemographic profiles and groupings, the official veterinary service can prioritize groups for sanitary education actions and develop programs focused on local socioeconomic characteristics.