Paraguay: 'Suspending foot-and-mouth disease vaccination is now a political decision,' analyst says

At a technical meeting in Senax, regional experts gathered to discuss the future of foot-and-mouth disease control and the public health challenges facing South American countries. The event took place amid growing interest in the possible suspension of vaccinations in Paraguay, a topic that has sparked widespread discussion in both the public and private sectors.

One of the keynote speakers at the event was Dr. Sergio Duffy, a renowned researcher with 35 years of experience at INTA in Argentina and 16 years on the OIE Scientific Commission. Dr. Duffy is currently a technical advisor at the University of Minnesota, and drawing on his international experience, he offered a broad perspective on the regional debate. He noted that the debate over whether to halt vaccination "is a critical issue for the entire region," regardless of the public health status of each country.

The specialist explained that all countries, whether they vaccinate or not, have two main priorities: "maintaining virus-free status" and "being prepared to quickly control and eliminate any potential re-introduction of the virus." Answering the question that most concerns producers—whether to stop vaccinating or not—Duffy emphasized that "generalizations should not be made," as each country must conduct its own analysis based on three principles: animal health, veterinary service capacity, and expected economic benefits.

When asked about the situation in Paraguay, the expert preferred not to comment on specific decisions, but he elaborated on the technical principles that any country should consider before changing its strategy. Regarding vaccination, he emphasized that "the vaccines used in South America have proven their high quality," although he cautioned that they do not provide an absolute guarantee, as there are uncovered serotypes and susceptible species that are not vaccinated. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the vaccine "significantly reduces transmission of the virus between animals and contributes to the control and eradication of the virus."

In concluding his speech, Duffy emphasized that the decision to suspend vaccination is essentially political, but "must be based on these three pillars" and supported by consensus between the public and private sectors. He concluded by praising the region's progress in animal health and calling for further coordinated efforts: "I congratulate the countries of the region on the tremendous progress they have made in combating foot-and-mouth disease and on their continued commitment to maintaining their disease-free status."