Dear Friends, Welcome to the 30th International Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology, W.A.A.V.P.. Since Curitiba was selected as the host city, we have been very active in bringing you a special in-person meeting at Viasoft (viasoft.com.br) from August 17th to 21st, 2025.
Curitiba is the capital of Paraná and is located in the Atlantic Forest biome in the southern region of Brazil. Curitiba is in the upper basin of the Iguaçu River and has a temperate climate. The area has a long history of the Jê and the Tupi-Guarani ethnic groups (Kainguangues, Guarani, Xetas tribes) that live, plant, collect, and hunt there. The name in the Guarani language means “Coritiba,” the land of fortune and wealth (animals, water, wood). Some of these communities can be seen resisting until today. Portuguese landowners began the city in 1640, 331 years ago. You can still visit the Itupava track, made by the Tupi, connecting the city valley at 720 meters above sea level to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. So be prepared to learn some Guarani words/names once you visit the city (Bariqui, Umbará, Piraquara, etc.).
We are thrilled to bring the WAAVP conference back to Brazil after a significant 40-year hiatus (11th WAAVP 1985 in Rio de Janeiro). This is a momentous occasion, and we want to pay tribute to it. We remember names like J. Armour, J. Cabaret, F. Echevarria, C. Eddi, J. Faccini, J. Furlong, S. Benevenga, L. Cramer, I. Bianchin, S. Gennari, R. Machado, F. Jackson, C. Massard, K. Pfister, T. Klei, J. Slocombe, M. Zoccoler, R. Prichard, C. Madruga, and many other friends who were part of this memorable event under the presidency of Dr. Laerte Grisi. To mark this special occasion, we will be celebrating the 40th anniversary with a unique event – stay tuned for more details.
Our conference is designed to unite people from all disciplines related to Parasitology, parasitic diseases, and animal health. We believe in the power of sharing knowledge and building collaborative partnerships to solve global issues and improve animal welfare. This meeting is not just an opportunity to showcase your work, but also a chance to celebrate diversity, make new friends, and connect with people. Our inclusive approach ensures that everyone in our community is valued and included.
The WAAVP 2025 is a zero-carbon event, and we were hoping you could take part by visiting the area that will be reforested. Please plan, as you will need a few extra days for that. You will love the opportunity. The Local Organizing Committee and the International Scientific Committee, chaired by Prof. Lívio Costa-Júnior, are developing an excellent scientific program, including exciting social events. We want to thank CNPq (World Events grant 12/2023), ELANCO, and Boehringer-Ingelheim, who have committed early to sponsoring the WAAVP 2025.
As you may know, Brazilians speak Portuguese—with the Brasileiro ascent. The conference will run in English with a few translated talks. We are also bringing fruits from other parts of the country so you can try the flavor and amaze yourself with the exuberant colors. We hope you will like this scientific and cultural blend we are preparing.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the WAAVP community, especially Dr. Domenico Otranto, and all members of the Executive Committee of the WAAVP for their unwavering support and interest over the years. Likewise, we also extend our thanks to the 18 different institutions (UFPR, UFMA, CBPV, Ourofino Saúde Animal, Mapa, CFMV, Universidad de Tabasco—Mexico, Universidad de Santander – Colombia, Fiocruz, OCT, etc.) that have supported us in our bid. The conference’s logo, developed by the talented designer Zizo Lopes, showcases some iconic buildings in Curitiba, including the CO2 reference.
Have a safe and productive second semester of 2024, and start preparing your work to present at our meeting. I'm looking forward to seeing you in Curitiba!