Mexico Clears Sonora of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Exports Resume

Agua Prieta, Sonora — Mexican authorities have ruled out foot-and-mouth disease in Sonora after a suspect calf at the Agua Prieta quarantine station tested positive for a milder virus, clearing the way for cattle exports to the United States to resume on Tuesday.

The Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry said in a statement that the diagnosis, completed in under 24 hours, excluded foot-and-mouth disease and other exotic illnesses considered high-impact threats to Mexico’s livestock sector. Tests run by the National Service for Agroalimentary Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica) confirmed bovine papular stomatitis, which the ministry said poses no major risk to animal health.

Sonora’s Agriculture, Livestock, Hydraulic Resources, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (Sagarhpa) said the results allow shipments to restart through the Agua Prieta–Douglas crossing into Arizona on the previously scheduled timetable.

Routine Inspection Flagged the Case

The case surfaced Friday during a routine inspection at the Agua Prieta quarantine station, where federal inspectors found lesions in the mouth of a calf. Personnel from the Mexico–United States Commission for the Prevention of Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Other Exotic Animal Diseases collected samples that were analyzed at the high-security laboratory in Palo Alto, in Mexico City.

The ministry noted that such lesions can be confused with symptoms of other vesicular diseases of sanitary concern, which is why surveillance protocols were triggered.

Mexico has been free of foot-and-mouth disease since 1954.

About 1,300 Cattle Sent Back to Ranches

As a precaution, authorities ordered roughly 1,300 head of cattle held at the quarantine station returned to their ranches and the facilities disinfected.

The Regional Livestock Union of Sonora (UGRS) also announced Friday a 60-day block, registered through the Electronic Livestock Movement Registry (REMO), on cattle destined for export. The organization did not specify whether the measure applies only to the animals sent back, and it was not confirmed whether the restriction would remain in place following the diagnosis.

The Agriculture Ministry said Friday that exports through San Jerónimo, Chihuahua, were continuing normally.

Crossing Reopened in August

The Agua Prieta crossing resumed shipments on Aug. 24 with a first convoy of 750 head, with plans to gradually raise the volume to 1,500 animals a day, following closures linked to the screwworm.

The United States suspended imports of Mexican cattle in November 2024 because of the pest and later imposed additional restrictions in May and July 2025.