Paraguay and the health debate: Has the time come to stop vaccinating against foot-and-mouth disease?

The National Service of Animal Health and Quality (Senacsa) is advancing its strategic plan for Paraguay to achieve the status of a country free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination, the highest category awarded by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). However, the productive sector has expressed concerns. Ignacio Llano, president of the Paraguayan Brahman Breeders Association, explained that they fear the economic consequences of an outbreak without vaccination. "If an outbreak were to occur, the cattle would be worth at least half, severely impacting producers and the national economy," he warned. The proposal to suspend vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease in Paraguay represents a decisive moment for national animal health. While the advantages in competitiveness and savings are attractive, success depends on meeting technical, institutional, and productive requirements with rigor. Our country is endemic Mirtha Lorena Giménez Pereira, Doctor of ...