Oswaldo Cruz Foundation

The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Portuguese Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, also known as FIOCRUZ) is a scientific institution for research and development in biological sciences located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; it is considered one of the world's main public health research institutions. It was founded by Dr. Oswaldo Cruz, a noted physician and epidemiologist. History The organization started in 1898 as the Federal SeroTherapy Institute with the objective of developing serum and vaccines against the bubonic plague. It was located outside Rio de Janeiro. The institute's activities, however, changed from simple production into research and experimental medicine, especially after Oswaldo Cruz assumed its leadership in 1902. From there on, the institute became the base for memorable sanitation campaigns in an age of outbreaks and epidemics of the bubonic plague, yellow fever, and smallpox. The institute, however, was not confined to Rio de Janeiro and collaborated in the occupation of the country's interior through scientific expeditions, aiding in the development of the country. When Oswaldo Cruz died in 1917, the institute, which by then already bore his name, was nationally consolidated and important scientific achievements followed, such as Carlos Chagas’ description of the complete cycle of the American trypanosomiasis including the clinical pattern of the disease. Today the institution has a broad range of responsibilities related to the health and wellbeing of the Brazilian population, functioning as a national institute of health for the Brazilian government. These responsibilities include hospital and ambulatory care, health-related research, development of vaccines, drugs, reagents, and diagnostic kits research, development and production, training of public health and health workers, providing information and communications related to health, science, and technology.