Celebrating its 125th anniversary, the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz) democratically updated its institutional mission, reaffirming its commitment to “producing science and promoting health for the benefit of society and the strengthening of the Unified Health System (SUS). Among the milestones of the last quarter-century are actions on the front lines of several health emergencies, including H1N1, Zika, yellow fever, and Covid-19. The fifth report in the special series Timeline: IOC 125 years also highlights data on the performance of IOC, which demonstrate the unit's strength in its various fields of activity, including research, innovation, teaching, scientific dissemination, reference services, and biological collections. Here's to another 125 years!
From the left, clockwise: testing of a method for controlling vectors of leishmaniasis in the Southeast, research on malaria and intestinal parasites in a Yanomami village in the Amazon, and investigation of microorganisms in the soil of Antarctica. Photos: Gutemberg Brito and personal collection. Art: João Veras
In the 2000s, the term 'One Health' gained strength in global discussions, reinforcing the need for an integrated approach between human, animal and environmental health. Present at the root of the activities of the IOC, this perspective remains strong, as shown by a survey carried out in 2021, which mapped the Institute's work in field research at the interface between environment and health in 25 states, including rural, indigenous and wild areas as well as large urban centers.
Zoonoses, diseases transmitted from animals to humans, are an important topic of these studies, which contemplate the interaction between pathogens, reservoir animals, vectors, environmental, climatic and socioeconomic factors. The focus of the research of IOC For example, zoonotic diseases such as schistosomiasis, hantaviruses and leptospirosis, among many others, stand out.
Other themes place the Institute at the forefront of One Health, including action on malaria, bacterial resistance to antibiotics, environmental contamination and climate change.
The Institute played a prominent role in the most recent health crises in Brazil, including influenza A H1N1, Zika, yellow fever e mpox, Besides the Covid-19. It was also on standby against the Ebola virus, clarifying suspected cases of the disease in the country. In addition to developing scientific research, the IOC acted as a reference in laboratory diagnosis and vector surveillance, providing training and developing methodologies.
In 2009 the IOC sequenced the first genomes of H1N1 in Brazil. In 2015, the first detection of the Zika virus was carried out in amniotic fluid of pregnant women in cases of microcephaly and confirmed the role of the mosquito Aedes aegypti as the main vector of the virus in the country. In 2017, during the largest outbreak of yellow fever in almost 80 years, it identified the wild mosquitoes that transmit the disease and carried out the complete genetic sequencing of the virus associated with the outbreak, identifying unprecedented mutations. Faced with the spread of Mpox in 2022, specialists from the Institute implemented techniques for laboratory diagnosis of the infection and isolated the virus, recording in microscopy images its detailed structure.
Sample with a fragment of the coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China, received by the IOC in January 2020 to reinforce diagnostic procedures. Photo: Josué Damacena. Art: João Veras
O IOC was at the forefront of Brazil's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Recognized as a reference for Brazil and the Americas, the Institute implemented and developed diagnostic methodologies and trained professionals. Working on monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 genome, it had two researchers appointed to the technical advisory group from WHO.
researches of IOC have had an impact on health policies, addressing sewage surveillance, patterns of coronavirus spread, the effectiveness of masks, antiviral drugs, the effects of infection on the body and the consequences of the pandemic for mental health, in addition to drawing attention to the increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Covid-19 Technological Showcase gave visibility to the innovations developed.
In the field of education, the IOC restructured its teaching activities in the online environment and implemented a platform to support educators. Like the whole of society, the Institute suffered losses, with deaths of workers and students due to the disease. The IOC remains active in Covid-19 surveillance, monitoring the circulation of the disease and the emergence of viral variants.
Some numbers from IOC in 2025, in celebration of its Silver Secular Jubilee. Art: João Veras
On May 25, 2025, on a shared anniversary date with Fiocroz, the IOC turned 125, celebrating its Silver Secular Jubilee. The numbers don't tell the whole story, but they help us glimpse the power of IOC when looking to the future.
There are 66 research laboratories, subject to the periodic accreditation process, with external evaluation, to promote scientific excellence, in addition to ten technological platforms, with high-performance equipment and specialized teams. In the last ten years (from 2015 to 2024) there were more than 6.800 articles published in journals, including works that described 260 new species and 13 new genera. The innovation process resulted in 27 protected technologies, with 66 patents granted and 47 patent applications in progress.
Twenty-three laboratories of the IOC perform reference services for the Ministry of Health, and nine operate internationally with PAHO and WHO. Two specialized outpatient clinics are maintained by reference laboratories.
Twenty biological collections are under the care of the Institute, preserving millions of microbiological specimens, zoological specimens and biological pathology materials. In education, there are more than 4 masters and doctors graduated and 855 students enrolled in seven postgraduate programs. Strict sensu, in addition to four specialization courses Lato sensu and two at secondary level, with 112 students currently enrolled. Surpassing the 115-year mark, the magazine 'Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz' has published more than 7 thousand articles.
Updated democratically in April, through debates at the '7th Meeting of the IOC' and voting by the Deliberative Council, the Institute's mission states: to produce science and promote health for the benefit of society and the strengthening of the SUS.
DOURO IOC! Long live the Fiocruz! Long live the SUS!
:: Check out the main ones bibliographical references consulted for the production of the special series 'Timeline: IOC 125 years'.
See other articles about the 125th anniversary of IOC na special page of the Silver Secular Jubilee.
Celebrating its 125th anniversary, the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz) democratically updated its institutional mission, reaffirming its commitment to “producing science and promoting health for the benefit of society and the strengthening of the Unified Health System (SUS). Among the milestones of the last quarter-century are actions on the front lines of several health emergencies, including H1N1, Zika, yellow fever, and Covid-19. The fifth report in the special series Timeline: IOC 125 years also highlights data on the performance of IOC, which demonstrate the unit's strength in its various fields of activity, including research, innovation, teaching, scientific dissemination, reference services, and biological collections. Here's to another 125 years!
From the left, clockwise: testing of a method for controlling vectors of leishmaniasis in the Southeast, research on malaria and intestinal parasites in a Yanomami village in the Amazon, and investigation of microorganisms in the soil of Antarctica. Photos: Gutemberg Brito and personal collection. Art: João Veras
In the 2000s, the term 'One Health' gained strength in global discussions, reinforcing the need for an integrated approach between human, animal and environmental health. Present at the root of the activities of the IOC, this perspective remains strong, as shown by a survey carried out in 2021, which mapped the Institute's work in field research at the interface between environment and health in 25 states, including rural, indigenous and wild areas as well as large urban centers.
Zoonoses, diseases transmitted from animals to humans, are an important topic of these studies, which contemplate the interaction between pathogens, reservoir animals, vectors, environmental, climatic and socioeconomic factors. The focus of the research of IOC For example, zoonotic diseases such as schistosomiasis, hantaviruses and leptospirosis, among many others, stand out.
Other themes place the Institute at the forefront of One Health, including action on malaria, bacterial resistance to antibiotics, environmental contamination and climate change.
The Institute played a prominent role in the most recent health crises in Brazil, including influenza A H1N1, Zika, yellow fever e mpox, Besides the Covid-19. It was also on standby against the Ebola virus, clarifying suspected cases of the disease in the country. In addition to developing scientific research, the IOC acted as a reference in laboratory diagnosis and vector surveillance, providing training and developing methodologies.
In 2009 the IOC sequenced the first genomes of H1N1 in Brazil. In 2015, the first detection of the Zika virus was carried out in amniotic fluid of pregnant women in cases of microcephaly and confirmed the role of the mosquito Aedes aegypti as the main vector of the virus in the country. In 2017, during the largest outbreak of yellow fever in almost 80 years, it identified the wild mosquitoes that transmit the disease and carried out the complete genetic sequencing of the virus associated with the outbreak, identifying unprecedented mutations. Faced with the spread of Mpox in 2022, specialists from the Institute implemented techniques for laboratory diagnosis of the infection and isolated the virus, recording in microscopy images its detailed structure.
Sample with a fragment of the coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China, received by the IOC in January 2020 to reinforce diagnostic procedures. Photo: Josué Damacena. Art: João Veras
O IOC was at the forefront of Brazil's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Recognized as a reference for Brazil and the Americas, the Institute implemented and developed diagnostic methodologies and trained professionals. Working on monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 genome, it had two researchers appointed to the technical advisory group from WHO.
researches of IOC have had an impact on health policies, addressing sewage surveillance, patterns of coronavirus spread, the effectiveness of masks, antiviral drugs, the effects of infection on the body and the consequences of the pandemic for mental health, in addition to drawing attention to the increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Covid-19 Technological Showcase gave visibility to the innovations developed.
In the field of education, the IOC restructured its teaching activities in the online environment and implemented a platform to support educators. Like the whole of society, the Institute suffered losses, with deaths of workers and students due to the disease. The IOC remains active in Covid-19 surveillance, monitoring the circulation of the disease and the emergence of viral variants.
Some numbers from IOC in 2025, in celebration of its Silver Secular Jubilee. Art: João Veras
On May 25, 2025, on a shared anniversary date with Fiocroz, the IOC turned 125, celebrating its Silver Secular Jubilee. The numbers don't tell the whole story, but they help us glimpse the power of IOC when looking to the future.
There are 66 research laboratories, subject to the periodic accreditation process, with external evaluation, to promote scientific excellence, in addition to ten technological platforms, with high-performance equipment and specialized teams. In the last ten years (from 2015 to 2024) there were more than 6.800 articles published in journals, including works that described 260 new species and 13 new genera. The innovation process resulted in 27 protected technologies, with 66 patents granted and 47 patent applications in progress.
Twenty-three laboratories of the IOC perform reference services for the Ministry of Health, and nine operate internationally with PAHO and WHO. Two specialized outpatient clinics are maintained by reference laboratories.
Twenty biological collections are under the care of the Institute, preserving millions of microbiological specimens, zoological specimens and biological pathology materials. In education, there are more than 4 masters and doctors graduated and 855 students enrolled in seven postgraduate programs. Strict sensu, in addition to four specialization courses Lato sensu and two at secondary level, with 112 students currently enrolled. Surpassing the 115-year mark, the magazine 'Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz' has published more than 7 thousand articles.
Updated democratically in April, through debates at the '7th Meeting of the IOC' and voting by the Deliberative Council, the Institute's mission states: to produce science and promote health for the benefit of society and the strengthening of the SUS.
DOURO IOC! Long live the Fiocruz! Long live the SUS!
:: Check out the main ones bibliographical references consulted for the production of the special series 'Timeline: IOC 125 years'.
See other articles about the 125th anniversary of IOC na special page of the Silver Secular Jubilee.
The non-profit reproduction of the text is allowed as long as the source is cited (Comunicação / Instituto Oswaldo Cruz)
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