PANAFTOSA celebrates 70 years at the service of health in the Americas
The Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA), of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), created on 27 August, 1951, celebrates its 70 years in 2021. PANAFTOSA emerged from an agreement between PAHO, the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Brazilian Government in order to support the countries in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease, an endemic animal disease in all of South America in that time.
PANAFTOSA has achieved significant milestones in the fight for the eradication of this disease through its laboratories for diagnosis and vaccine production and the establishment of regional programs such as 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 Hemispheric Foot-and-Mouth Disease Eradication Program (PHEFA).
Although foot-and-mouth disease has been the reason for its creation, PANAFTOSA expanded its field of action to the areas of Zoonosis and Food Safety. Thanks to a multisectoral approach, the Center stood out as an institution specialized in these areas, and was a pioneer in the implementation of programs for the management of health risks based on the “One Health” concept, considering the human-animal-environment interface.
In order to mention only some achievements, regarding zoonosis it is worth mentioning the essential role of PANAFTOSA in the elimination of human rabies transmitted by dogs in most countries of the region. Concerning food safety, it is worth noting the support to the countries for the prevention of foodborne diseases and the elaboration of their national plans for the containment of antimicrobial resistance.
After the road travelled over these seven decades, it is time to look back, remember our history, celebrate the progress made, reflect, and work looking towards what the future may bring.
On behalf of PANAFTOSA, we would like to express our gratitude to our collaborators and the institutional staff for their trust and fidelity.
INVITED AUTHORITIES
Carissa
Etienne
Director of PAHO/WHO
Teresa
Cristina
Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Brazil
Milton Thiago
de Mello
Academy of Veterinary Medicine
Ottorino
Cosivi
Director of PANAFTOSA-PAHO
Videos
Institutional greetings for the 70th anniversary
TRIBUTE TO THE PROTAGONISTS OF HISTORY
After the road travelled over these seven decades, it is time to look back, remember our history, celebrate the progress made, reflect, and work looking towards what the future may bring. A review from each of our directors and their work. (in Spanish)
The history of veterinary public health through PANAFTOSA
Notas
PANAFTOSA/OPS llega a sus 70 años con todo el continente libre de fiebre aftosa, con excepción de un país, y camino a la eliminación de la rabia canina
Agência Senado: Sessão especial na segunda-feira celebrará êxito no combate à febre aftosa
