Mexico suspends live cattle exports to US after suspected foot-and-mouth case in Sonora

Authorities in Sonora temporarily suspended live cattle exports to the United States after a suspicious lesion was found in an animal during inspection. The discovery triggered protocols to rule out foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious viral illness affecting cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.

The suspension affects the Agua Prieta border crossing to Douglas, Arizona, and a shipment of 1,300 head of cattle will be returned to its place of origin to complete sanitary procedures. State officials said the closure will last through the weekend and will not resume on Monday because the United States will have no crossing operations that day.

“The virus can remain”

Exports are expected to resume next Tuesday with a flow of 1,300 head per day once pending sanitary procedures are addressed. Mexico maintains international recognition as a foot-and-mouth disease-free country without vaccination, so confirming a case would have significant implications for epidemiological surveillance and livestock trade.

The sector has faced other interruptions recently. Exports stopped again in late August due to failures in inspection equipment at the Agua Prieta quarantine station, and crossings resumed on September 8 after a hydraulic structure was replaced. The Agua Prieta crossing had reopened on August 24, 2026, with a first shipment of around 750 animals after more than a year of restrictions linked to the cattle screwworm in Mexico.