PANAFTOSA commemorates 75 years of cooperation to protect animal and public health in the Americas

The celebration brought together, at its facilities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian authorities, public and animal health institutions, and professionals who contributed to the history of the PAHO Center

Rio de Janeiro, August 27, 2026 (PANAFTOSA/SPV-PAHO/WHO) - The Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA/SPV) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) commemorated, on August 27, 75 years of technical cooperation in support of veterinary public health, animal health, and the development of the Americas. The ceremony, held at its facilities in Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, brought together Brazilian authorities, institutions working in animal health and public health, and professionals who have been part of its history.

The anniversary provided an opportunity to recognize the progress achieved over seven and a half decades of joint work with the countries of the Americas and, at the same time, reaffirm PANAFTOSA's commitment to addressing current and future health challenges through the One Health approach.

Established on August 27, 1951, through an agreement between the Pan American Sanitary Bureau, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Government of Brazil, PANAFTOSA was created with the mandate to support countries in the region in preventing, controlling, and eradicating foot-and-mouth disease.

Since then, its mission has progressively expanded. Today, the Center provides technical cooperation to strengthen national capacities for the prevention, surveillance, and control of zoonotic and foodborne diseases, containment of antimicrobial resistance, and response to other health risks at the interface between people, animals, and the environment.

"PANAFTOSA's work was fundamental to the progress achieved in addressing foot-and-mouth disease in South America and advancing toward the elimination of human rabies transmitted by dogs, demonstrating that cooperation among countries produces concrete and sustainable results," said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa in a video message during the ceremony.

Foto: Karina Zambrano/OPS

A history built through cooperation

PANAFTOSA's history is closely linked to some of the major advances in animal health and veterinary public health in the Americas. Its work contributed to strengthening veterinary services, surveillance and diagnostic systems, and regional coordination mechanisms that enabled countries to advance toward the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease.

Building on this experience, PANAFTOSA expanded its work to address other health challenges, including the elimination of human rabies transmitted by dogs, the prevention and control of hydatidosis, food safety, surveillance of zoonotic diseases-including avian influenza and yellow fever through an intersectoral approach-antimicrobial resistance, and accidents caused by venomous animals.

This evolution reflects the One Health approach, which recognizes that the health of people, animals, and ecosystems is closely interconnected and that many of today's health risks require coordinated and integrated responses.

"PANAFTOSA was created to address foot-and-mouth disease, and over its 75 years, it has evolved to support countries in addressing increasingly broad health challenges, encompassing zoonoses, food safety, antimicrobial resistance, and other risks under the One Health approach. Our greatest strength remains our ability to evolve without losing our essence: technical cooperation with the countries of the Americas," said PANAFTOSA Director Dr. Manuel Sánchez.

Foto: Karina Zambrano/OPS

Recognition of Brazil and regional cooperation

The ceremony was attended by Brazilian authorities and institutions working in public health and animal health, reflecting Brazil's role as the host country and strategic partner of the Center, as well as the regional nature of PANAFTOSA's mission.

In his anniversary message, PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa highlighted PANAFTOSA's contribution to the region's health advances and expressed his appreciation to the Government of Brazil and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock for their support in strengthening the Center and fulfilling its regional mission.

PAHO/WHO Representative in Brazil Cristian Morales highlighted how Brazil's technical capacity, when coordinated regionally through PAHO and PANAFTOSA, has crossed borders and directly translated into lives saved. "And now, we will work even more closely with PANAFTOSA, in this new stage of its history, with an increasingly integrated vision of the challenges facing veterinary public health and One Health," he added.

Foto: Karina Zambrano/OPS

Among the authorities present, Carlos Goulart, Secretary of Agricultural Defense of Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), thanked the Ministry for the opportunity to be present at the celebration of PANAFTOSA's 75-year history and highlighted Brazil's pride in hosting the institution. He also emphasized that "Brazil believed in the multilateralism project from the very beginning." "I am privileged to be here celebrating PANAFTOSA's 75th anniversary, with Brazil reaching a new status, a new level in terms of animal health and foot-and-mouth disease," he said.

"We need to be clear about our debt to PANAFTOSA, which has the strength and capacity to bring together efforts to address transboundary diseases. It would not be possible to achieve these results without a multilateral and regional organization. PANAFTOSA and PAHO help countries move forward, regardless of changes in government, throughout a 75-year-long effort," he added.

Foto: Magno Pereira/PANAFTOSA-OPS

Finally, Ricardo Augusto Rosa Mansur, Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Supply and Inland Development of the State of Rio de Janeiro, stated that "PANAFTOSA has a 75-year history of making a fundamental contribution to animal health and veterinary public health in the Americas. Rio de Janeiro's participation at this moment reinforces the importance of integration among different sectors and institutions in preventing and addressing health challenges. It is an honor to celebrate this history and reaffirm our commitment to One Health, agricultural production, and the sustainable development of our state."

Foto: Magno Pereira/PANAFTOSA-OPS

A legacy built by those who were part of PANAFTOSA

One of the central moments of the celebration was the screening of the documentary "PANAFTOSA: Voices of 75 Years of Cooperation," which traces the Center's history through testimonials from former directors and former staff members.

The documentary brings together the experiences and memories of those who helped build the institution and shows PANAFTOSA's evolution from its early years of work against foot-and-mouth disease to its current mission in veterinary public health.

The production also highlights the human dimension of these 75 years of history: professionals, technicians, researchers, and collaborators who, in different roles, contributed to strengthening the Center's capacities and its work with countries across the region.

Looking to the future while building on progress achieved

Foto: Karina Zambrano/OPS