Rio de Janeiro, August 29, 2025 (PAHO/PANAFTOSA) – The Regional Foot-and-Mouth Disease Antigen Bank (BANVACO) is officially in operation as of today, marking a major milestone in the ability of the Americas to respond to health emergencies due to this disease.
The aim of BANVACO, which held its first regular meeting on August 28-29, is to ensure a steady supply of antigens and vaccines to contain potential outbreaks of all relevant viral serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) through emergency vaccination. While reintroduction of the disease is unlikely in the Americas, it is essential that countries are prepared as a serious outbreak could undermine national and international food security, as well as the socioeconomic development and wellbeing of affected communities.
Managed by the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO), through its Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA), BANVACO is not a physical facility. Instead, it is a coordinated network of supplier laboratories that store antigens, which would be formulated into vaccines in a situation of emergency. This innovative approach ensures a rapid response, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility in crisis situations.
PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, called the initiative a bold move toward a more prepared, cohesive region. “BANVACO is a political and operational commitment from countries to strengthen regional preparedness, health and food security by guaranteeing access to the rapid deployment of vaccines in an emergency to preserve animal health and the wellbeing of communities,” he said.
Foot-and-mouth disease
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)is a highly contagious viral disease that affects livestock, including cattle, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed animals. It can have significant socio-economic consequences, with potential annual losses that could exceed billions of US dollars in affected countries.
In recent years, the Americas have made significant progress towards FMD eradication. This year, Brazil and Bolivia were certified by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as FMD free countries without vaccination. Today, nearly 80% of the cattle population in the Americas are in countries recognized by WOAH as FMD-free without vaccination, while approximately 18% are in countries or territories certified as FMD-free with vaccination, and only about 2% remain without an official free status. This progress is a historic achievement, reflecting the region’s strong animal health policies, improved surveillance and effective border controls.
“The official recognition of Bolivia and Brazil as foot-and-mouth disease-free countries without vaccination represents a significant milestone for the Hemispheric Foot-and-Mouth Disease Eradication Program (PHEFA), which seeks the eradication of the disease,” the PAHO Director added.
Historically, the systematic vaccination of livestock has been the main strategy for controlling outbreaks and preventing 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 for managing outbreaks, as it reduces the need for large-scale culling, mitigates economic losses, and contributes to the recovery of health status. This strategy is only possible, however, if there is a pre-existing strategic reserve of suitable antigens, which requires planning and coordination between the public and private sectors.
The creation of BANVACO aligns with long-standing recommendations from regional FMD authorities, including the South American Commission for the Fight against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (COSALFA), the Hemispheric Committee for the Eradication of Foot-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, prevent the spread of the virus in a potential outbreak, and protect the progress achieved through the PHEFA.
All countries in the Americas can join BANVACO, whether they are free of the disease with or without vaccination. Member countries on the BANVACO Board of Directors include:
- Brazil, through the Department of Animal Health of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA)
- Ecuador, represented by the Agency for the Regulation and Control of Plant and Animal Health (AGROCALIDAD)
- Paraguay, through the National Service of Animal Health and Quality (SENACSA)