Percepção de risco dos diferentes atores envolvidos no controle da febre aftosa na fronteira oeste do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is the most important animal disease and the occurrence of an outbreak has national and international repercussions. Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), the causative agent, is extremely infectious and contagious. The infection mainly affects cattle, buffaloes, swine, sheep, goats among other domestic and wild species. Disease control is performed by a fast diagnosis, preventive vaccination and restriction of animal movement. Therefore, control measures are directed at prevention measures, which include active and passive surveillance. The last FMDV outbreak in Rio Grande do Sul occurred in 2001 and the State is recognized as a free zone with vaccination. In order for the State to maintain this status, an effective surveillance system capable of integrating the Official Veterinary Service and the production chain (producers and handlers) is necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk perception of producers, veterinarians and cattle transporters in the production chain in the West Frontier of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. All interviewed actors recognize the importance of foot-and-mouth disease. However, a proportion of the producers (15%), transporters (17%) and veterinarians (17%) believe that the disease occurs in the State. Also, a considerable number of producers and transporters believe that the risk of the virus being introduced in the region is low, negligible and some have not yet been able to respond. It was observed that the interviewees recognize the main clinical signs, but they have little knowledge about sheep, pigs, deer and wild pigs being susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease. Most interviewees believe it is important to report a suspected case, but a portion would try to solve it differently if they suspected the disease. Almost all producers claimed to vaccinate their herds, however some are aware of producers who do not carry out the vaccination. In addition, some interviewees do not know the starting age to carry out the vaccination. Therefore, it is extremely important for the Official Veterinary Service to work with more intensity in health education activities, regarding the correct age for vaccination, affected species and notification, making the actors more sensitive to any suspicion of the disease.