Brazil secures foot‑and‑mouth disease antigen bank in Argentina

Brazil has established its first national bank of foot‑and‑mouth disease antigens to support emergency vaccine production. The facility, located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, holds an initial stock of 10 million doses covering the two virus sub‑types most common in Brazil, with a contract allowing an additional 10 million doses over the next ten years.

The bank results from a partnership between Brazil’s Instituto de Tecnologia do Paraná (Tecpar) and the Argentine firm Biogénesis Bagó, coordinated with Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and the Brazilian embassy in Buenos Aires. Stored outside Brazil for biosafety reasons, the antigens enable rapid manufacture of vaccines should an outbreak occur, helping Brazil maintain its disease‑free status and market access for livestock products.

Officials highlighted that the strategic reserve strengthens Brazil’s animal health safeguards and underscores the country’s commitment to vigilant disease prevention.