Antigen bank for foot-and-mouth disease opens in the Americas to facilitate quick access to emergency vaccines – PAHO/WHO

Rio de Janeiro, August 29, 2025 (PAHO/PANAFTOSA) – The regional antigen of the disease of the leaf disease and the Mouth (Banvaco) is officially in operation as of today, marking an important milestone in the ability of the Americas to respond to health emergencies due to this disease.

The objective of Banvaco, which celebrated its first regular meeting from August 28 to 29, is to guarantee a constant supply of antigens and vaccines to contain potential outbreaks of all relevant viral serotypes of feet and mouth disease) through emergency vaccination. Although the reintroduction of the disease is unlikely in the Americas, it is essential that countries be prepared as a serious outbreak could undermine national and international food security, as well as the socio -economic development and the well -being of the affected communities.

Managed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), through its Pan -American Center for Foot and Mouth Health and Veterinary Health (PanAftose), Banvaco is not a physical installation. Instead, it is a coordinated network of supplier laboratories that store antigens, which would be formulated in vaccines in an emergency situation. This innovative approach guarantees a quick response, profitability and flexibility in crisis situations.

The director of Paho, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, described the initiative as a bold movement towards a more prepared and cohesive region. «Banvaco is a political and operational commitment from countries to strengthen regional preparation, health and food security by guaranteeing access to the rapid deployment of vaccines in an emergency to preserve the health of animals and the well -being of communities,» he said.

Foot and mouth disease

The disease of the feet and mouth (Aphyosa fever) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cattle, including cattle, pigs and other cloven animals. It can have important socio -economic consequences, with possible annual losses that could exceed billions of US dollars in affected countries.

In recent years, the Americas have progressed significantly towards the eradication of Afitase fever. This year, Brazil and Bolivia were certified by the World Animal Health Organization (WOAH) as FMD free countries without vaccination. Today, almost 80% of the population of livestock in the Americas is in countries recognized by WOAH as free of a vaccination fever, while approximately 18% are found in countries or territories certified as FMD free with vaccination, and only approximately 2% remain without an official free state. This progress is a historical achievement, which reflects the strong health policies of the animals in the region, better surveillance and effective border controls.

«The official recognition of Bolivia and Brazil as countries free of standing diseases and mouth without vaccination represents a significant milestone for the program of eradication of hemispheric diseases for foot and mouth (Phefa), which seeks the eradication of the disease,» added the director of PAHO.

Historically, the systematic vaccination of livestock has been the main strategy to control outbreaks and prevent new cases. However, once the absence of infection is confirmed and internal risks are eliminated, countries can suspend vaccination. In the context of an animal health crisis, emergency vaccination is globally recognized as the most effective tool and socially accepted measure to handle outbreaks, since it reduces the need to sacrifice large -scale, mitigates economic losses and contributes to the recovery of the state of health. However, this strategy is only possible if there is a pre -existing strategic reserve of adequate antigens, which requires planning and coordination between the public and private sectors.

The creation of Banvaco is aligned with the long -standing recommendations of the FMD regional authorities, including the South American Commission for the fight against feet and leaf diseases (Cosalfa), the Hemispheric Committee for the eradication of feet and mouth disease (Cohefa) and the Inter -American Meeting on Animal Health at the Ministerial Level (RIMSA). Its objective is to safeguard FMD free territories, avoid the spread of virus in a potential outbreak and protect the progress achieved through the Phefa.

All the countries of the Americas can join Banvaco, whether they are free of the disease with or without vaccination. The member countries of the Board of Directors of Banvaco include:

• Brazil, through the Department of Animal Health of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Map)
• Ecuador, represented by the Agency for Regulation and Control of Plant and Animal Health (Agrocality)
• Paraguay, through the National Health and Quality Service of Animals (Senacsa)