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Diseases

Regional Foot-and-Mouth Disease Antigen Bank Officially Opens in the Americas

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched the Regional Foot-and-Mouth Disease Antigen Bank (BANVACO) to ensure a steady supply of antigens and vaccines in the event of a potential outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Americas. BANVACO is a coordinated network of supplier laboratories that store antigens, which would be formulated into vaccines in a situation of emergency. The initiative aims to maintain the progress made in the region towards FMD eradication, particularly in countries recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as FMD-free without vaccination.

Key Takeaways:

  • BANVACO is a coordinated network of supplier laboratories that store antigens, which would be formulated into vaccines in a situation of emergency.
  • The initiative aims 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.
  • BANVACO is managed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) through its Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA).
  • The Latin American and Caribbean region has made significant progress towards FMD eradication, with nearly 80% of the cattle population in countries recognized by WOAH as FMD-free without vaccination.
  • Bolivia and Brazil are the latest countries to be certified by WOAH as FMD-free countries without vaccination.
  • The Hemispheric Foot-and-Mouth Disease Eradication Program (PHEFA) aims to eradicate the disease, and BANVACO is aligned with long-standing recommendations from regional FMD authorities.
  • All countries in the Americas can join BANVACO, whether they are free of the disease with or without vaccination.

Statistics:

  • 80% of the cattle population in the Americas are in countries recognized by WOAH as FMD-free without vaccination.
  • 18% of the cattle population in the Americas are in countries or territories certified as FMD-free with vaccination.
  • 2% of the cattle population in the Americas remain without an official free status.
  • The estimated annual losses from FMD outbreaks could exceed billions of US dollars in affected countries.

Sources:

  • "Regional Foot-and-Mouth Disease Antigen Bank: Official Launch in the Americas" Press release by the Pan American Health Organization (August 29, 2023)

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