Paraguay advances its national plan toward FMD free status without vaccination
Paraguay is advancing its roadmap toward achieving the highest health status of "free without vaccination." This strategic challenge has the coordinated commitment of the public and private sectors.
This process, led by the National Animal Health and Quality Service (SENACSA), involves the national productive sector in a joint effort aimed at strengthening animal health, promoting public health, and contributing to the country's economic development. This inter-institutional alliance represents an example of health governance aimed at eradicating the disease, included in the Elimination Initiative, led by PAHO, which seeks to eliminate more than 30 diseases and related conditions in the Americas.
In this context, on July 21 and 26, the PANAFTOSA technical team, at the request of SENACSA, conducted a technical mission to the country to support the institution in discussing and planning actions for the final phase of the transition to foot-and-mouth disease-free status without vaccination. The national contingency plan for the disease was also reviewed, and a possible training plan implemented by PANAFTOSA for SENACSA professionals was discussed.
Paraguay has been officially recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO) as a foot-and-mouth disease-free country with vaccination since 2017 and has a robust surveillance system. The actions contemplated in the transition plan seek to consolidate existing technical capacities and ensure the sustainability of its health status without the need for systematic vaccination, in accordance with the current epidemiological situation.
In May, two countries in the region, Brazil and Bolivia, achieved certification as FMD-free without vaccination, granted by the World Food Programme. With their inclusion, more than 65% of South American cattle are located in FMD-free areas without vaccination. Being FMD-free without vaccination means that countries have successfully eliminated the virus from animals, so systematic vaccination of cattle is no longer necessary to maintain FMD-free status. This reduces associated costs and improves competitiveness in international markets.
For decades, foot-and-mouth disease has posed a threat to food security, animal health, and rural economies in the Region. Routine vaccination has been the primary control tool, allowing outbreaks to be reduced and progress toward eradication to be made. Once the absence of virus transmission has been confirmed and internal risks have been controlled, countries can choose to suspend vaccination and maintain eradication through robust prevention, surveillance, and emergency preparedness mechanisms.
PANAFTOSA provides technical cooperation to countries in the region to strengthen regional capacities and consolidate the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease in the Americas.
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