AGP Executive Report

Animal Welfare Tech: Paraguay’s National Directorate for Animal Defence, Health, and Welfare has launched a new “Lost and Found Pets” digital section on its website, creating a centralized public database where people can report missing or found companion animals and help reunite families with pets. Injury Watch: Reports say Arsenal defender William Saliba’s worsening back issue could require surgery after the World Cup, though France’s medical staff cleared him to participate for now. Public Health Diplomacy: PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa presented the 2025 Annual Report to the OAS Permanent Council, highlighting progress like malaria-free certification in Suriname and HIV elimination gains in Brazil, alongside setbacks such as measles elimination challenges. Health & Safety Abroad: A 72-year-old passenger died after falling down stairs while disembarking at São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport; she was taken to hospital with a skull bleed. Wildlife Risk: Wildlife officials warned about invasive Argentine tegus in Georgia that can spread disease and disrupt habitats, urging residents to report sightings or trap and kill.

Invasive Species Alert: Wildlife officials in Georgia are urging residents to report or trap-and-kill invasive Argentine black-and-white tegus after sightings in Toombs and Tattnall counties, warning they spread disease, disrupt habitats, and reproduce quickly. USMNT World Cup Health Watch: The U.S. men’s national team submitted its 26-man World Cup roster, keeping defender Chris Richards despite an ankle injury; staff say his fitness is still uncertain and will be closely monitored before the opener vs Paraguay. Paraguay in the Spotlight (Sports): A World Cup Group D preview highlights Paraguay’s return after a 16-year absence, setting up a matchup against the USA, Australia, and Türkiye. Local Health Education: Paraguay’s National University of Asunción veterinary faculty welcomed a newborn donkey foal, Solano, boosting hands-on training for students while routine checks aim to prevent disease transmission. Public Safety (Abroad): A passenger died after falling down stairs while disembarking at São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport, with reports citing a skull bleed and hospital treatment.

World Cup Health Watch: The U.S. men’s team enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a key fitness question: defender Chris Richards is sidelined from the pre-tournament friendly vs Senegal due to an ankle injury, with coach Mauricio Pochettino saying the next few days are “key” for deciding if he’s ready for the June 12 opener against Paraguay. Injury & Recovery Signals: Richards’ absence comes after he missed Crystal Palace’s final matches and was kept out of the Senegal game as part of rehab and reevaluation, while veteran Tim Ream was named captain—an off-field leadership boost as the squad fine-tunes. Local Health Safety Note: A 72-year-old passenger died after falling down stairs while disembarking at São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport; she was taken to hospital with a skull bleed, and the airline said it followed protocols. Paraguay Community Angle: A Paraguay-born veterinary school story highlights hands-on training at the National University of Asunción, where a newborn donkey foal is helping future vets learn through real care routines.

Injury Watch (USMNT): The U.S. submitted its 26-man World Cup roster to FIFA, keeping defender Chris Richards despite an ankle injury from Crystal Palace. Coach Mauricio Pochettino said Richards’ fitness is still uncertain and will be reassessed over the next few days; he’s currently recovering in Georgia and won’t play the pre-tournament friendly vs. Senegal. World Cup Prep (Health & Performance): After the U.S. beat Senegal 3-2 in Charlotte, reports say Pochettino is using new match cooling-break rules and even showing players tactical clips on a laptop during breaks—aimed at rest, rehydration, and clearer in-game adjustments. Public Health (Regional): Argentina’s latest epidemiological bulletin flags rising leptospirosis and increased respiratory virus circulation, including influenza A(H3N2). Local Health Context (Paraguay): Asunción is facing mounting pressure on transport and public services as daily inflows far exceed the city’s official population—an issue that can affect access to healthcare and overall wellbeing. Health Education (Paraguay): Paraguay’s veterinary faculty welcomed a newborn donkey foal, Solano, boosting hands-on training for future vets.

World Cup health & performance: The U.S. men’s team’s pre-World Cup tune-up vs Senegal ended 3-2, with Christian Pulisic ending a long scoring drought and the squad showing intensity—but defensive lapses still stood out. Heat safety tweak: Coach Mauricio Pochettino’s staff says cooling breaks will be used in all World Cup matches, not just when kickoff temperatures cross a threshold, aiming to keep recovery and hydration consistent. Injury watch for Paraguay opener: Defender Chris Richards missed the Senegal friendly with an ankle injury; his return timeline is unclear as the team plans rehab and reassessment ahead of the June 12 opener vs Paraguay. Public health alert (Argentina): Argentina’s latest epidemiological bulletin reports rising leptospirosis and more respiratory virus circulation, including influenza A(H3N2), with leptospirosis incidence up 28% year-on-year. Local wellness context (Paraguay): Asunción’s daily influx of commuters and visitors is straining transport and public services, a pressure that can affect everyday health through longer commutes and reduced access to care. Veterinary education: Paraguay’s National University of Asunción welcomed a newborn donkey foal, Solano, boosting hands-on training for future veterinarians.

Pre-World Cup Health & Readiness (USMNT): The U.S. men’s team kicked off World Cup prep with a 3-2 friendly win over Senegal in Charlotte, with Christian Pulisic ending a long scoring drought via a goal and an assist. Injury Watch: Defender Chris Richards missed the match and remains a question mark after an ankle injury; coach Mauricio Pochettino says rehab is ongoing and a return timeline is still unclear. Leadership & Training: Veteran Tim Ream was named World Cup captain, and the team is training at the new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center near Atlanta. Paraguay-Relevant Public Health (Regional): Argentina reported rising leptospirosis and respiratory virus activity, including influenza A(H3N2), in its latest epidemiological update. Local Paraguay Wellness (Education): Asunción’s veterinary faculty is using a newly born donkey foal, Solano, to support hands-on training for future vets, with routine health checks aimed at preventing disease transmission. Health Systems Context (Mobility): Asunción’s daily influx is overwhelming transport and public services, adding pressure that can affect access to healthcare and daily wellbeing.

Public Health Watch (Argentina): Argentina’s Ministry of Health reports a 28% year-on-year rise in leptospirosis, with 109 notifications (45 confirmed, 64 probable) and an incidence of 0.23 per 100,000, plus increased circulation of respiratory viruses—especially influenza A(H3N2). Urban Health & Mobility (Asunción): Asunción’s daily inflow of workers, students, and visitors (over 1.5 million vs. 462,000 residents) is straining transport, roads, public services, and municipal finances, raising concerns about long-term sustainability. Paraguay Health Education (Veterinary Training): A newborn donkey foal, Solano, is becoming a hands-on teaching case at the National University of Asunción’s Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, supporting student training and routine health checks. Health-Related Policy Context (Ebola): A U.S. case involving temporary release of a deportation target to the Democratic Republic of Congo is tied to the WHO-declared Ebola emergency, highlighting how outbreaks can disrupt health and migration decisions.

Urban Mobility: Asunción is facing a worsening traffic and services strain as daily inflows of workers, students, traders and visitors push the city’s effective population far beyond its official 462,000 residents, raising concerns for roads, public services and municipal finances. Public Finance: Paraguay’s DNIT projects about 8% tax revenue growth in the second half of 2026, citing improved domestic tax collection and recovery in economic activity, while noting customs revenue pressure from exchange-rate swings. Health & Safety (Regional): The WHO-linked Ebola situation in Congo is driving new public health travel measures by the U.S., Mexico and Canada for World Cup visitors, as countries respond to the outbreak declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Sports Health Watch: U.S. defender Chris Richards is out of the pre-World Cup friendly vs Senegal due to an ankle injury with no clear return timeline, highlighting how last-minute health issues can affect tournament readiness.

Public Health & Mobility: A new report highlights how some cities’ electric bike sharing systems are being misused as rolling garbage bins, raising sanitation concerns for riders and communities. Ebola Preparedness: The U.S. temporarily released Jose Yugar-Cruz, a South American asylum-seeker facing deportation to the Democratic Republic of Congo amid the Ebola outbreak, as WHO reports thousands of suspected cases and deaths. Local Health Equity: A case study from the region spotlights how chronic kidney disease patients struggle to maintain treatment when transport and medicine costs pile up. Immunization Data Innovation: PAHO was selected as a finalist for a UN program to scale better immunization coverage tracking across the Americas using improved electronic records. Paraguay in the Spotlight: Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo faced backlash over remarks at the French Open, later saying they were taken out of context—an example of how sports controversies can quickly affect public discourse. World Cup Health Measures: Ebola-related public health travel steps are being coordinated for World Cup visitors across North America.

Ebola Preparedness: The U.S., Mexico, and Canada announced coordinated public health travel measures aimed at regions at highest risk of Ebola following WHO’s DRC outbreak declaration, focusing on protecting citizens and visitors during the World Cup. Kidney Disease Burden: A Philippine family described the heavy strain of stage 5 chronic kidney disease, including twice-weekly dialysis and difficulty affording maintenance medicines—highlighting gaps in access and continuity of care. Immunization Data Push: PAHO was selected as a finalist for a UN Global Pulse Accelerator cohort for PAHOabc, a tool to better use electronic immunization records to spot coverage gaps and at-risk populations across the Americas. Chronic ITP Treatment Update: Knight Therapeutics launched TAVALISSE® (fostamatinib) in Mexico for adult chronic immune thrombocytopenia patients with insufficient response to prior treatment, expanding options for bleeding-risk management. Local Health Coverage: Paraguay’s measles vaccination drive reportedly reached 89% coverage, supporting efforts to prevent outbreaks. Sports Heat & Health: Tennis coverage noted top-seed Jannik Sinner’s illness and dizziness in Paris heat, underscoring how extreme conditions can derail athletes’ health and performance.

Chronic Kidney Care Access: A 35-year-old woman in the Philippines was diagnosed with Stage 5 chronic kidney disease and now needs twice-weekly dialysis, but her family struggles to afford transport and regular maintenance medicines—highlighting how “free” treatment can still leave patients stuck with costly gaps. Heat & Illness in Sports: Jannik Sinner crashed out of the French Open after feeling dizzy and losing momentum in extreme heat, a reminder that illness and dehydration risks can hit even top athletes. World Cup Health Measures: The U.S., Mexico, and Canada announced coordinated public health travel steps targeting Ebola-risk regions ahead of the 2026 World Cup, following WHO’s Ebola emergency declaration in the DRC. Paraguay-Linked Sports Spotlight: Paraguay’s presence in World Cup planning and matchups continues to draw attention, including coverage of tournament logistics and squad decisions across host nations.

Ebola Preparedness: The U.S., Mexico, and Canada announced coordinated public health travel measures for regions at highest risk of Ebola following WHO’s DRC emergency declaration, aiming to protect fans and visitors heading into the World Cup. PAHO Partnership: PAHO and the Mundo Sano Foundation signed an agreement to accelerate elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and Chagas, with initial technical work focused on Argentina and Paraguay and added cervical cancer prevention efforts. Food Labeling Debate: Argentina’s government is moving to modify its Front Labeling “healthy eating” law after lawmakers advanced a repeal push, keeping the focus on how nutrient seals are calculated and displayed on packaged foods. Local Nutrition Access: In Paraguay-relevant community news, College Point Restaurant Week (Queens) kicks off June 1 with 20% off participating restaurants, including a Paraguayan option—an easy win for healthier eating choices through affordability. Sports Health & Heat: At the French Open, top seed Jannik Sinner’s shock exit was linked to illness and heat strain, underscoring how extreme conditions can quickly derail performance and recovery.

PAHO x Paraguay health push: PAHO and the Mundo Sano Foundation signed a technical cooperation deal to speed up elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and Chagas, and to expand cervical cancer prevention across the Americas, with an initial focus on Argentina and Paraguay. US World Cup health-adjacent logistics: FIFA confirmed training and base-camp locations for all 48 teams, with the U.S. choosing Irvine, California as a main operations hub—relevant for planning travel, recovery, and local public health coordination. USMNT roster spotlight: Mauricio Pochettino named a 26-man U.S. squad including Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter, while Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann were left off; the big health watch is Chris Richards’ ankle, with Crystal Palace saying his Conference League final fitness decision would be made close to game day. Food labeling policy debate (regional): Argentina’s government is preparing changes to its “Front Labeling” healthy eating law after House approval of a repeal push, keeping the focus on how nutrient seals and school protections are enforced.

Food Policy Watch: Argentina’s “Front Labeling” style rules are back in debate after the House gave preliminary approval to changes to the “Hojarasca” Law, with lawmakers pushing a repeal while the deregulation ministry drafts a new proposal—sparking arguments over whether current black-octagon nutrient seals distort information for consumers. Cybersecurity & Health Data: Researchers warn Latin American cybercriminal groups are increasingly targeting government agencies and contractors, including health ministries, using regional know-how to steal and monetize citizen data. Local Relevance for Paraguay: Paraguay’s measles vaccination drive reportedly reached 89% coverage, while rising hantavirus cases are raising concerns about public health gaps. Public Health Infrastructure: Paraguay is also moving to establish a National Anti-Doping Agency, alongside efforts like direct poultry export openings to the UAE. Sports & Wellness Angle: The U.S. World Cup roster news is dominated by injury management and training returns, including Chris Richards’ ankle status, as the tournament nears.

US World Cup roster shockwaves: Mauricio Pochettino named the U.S. 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, bringing back familiar faces like Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams while including Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter—yet leaving out Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann, a decision that sparked public debate. Injury watch: Defender Chris Richards returned to training with Crystal Palace after tearing two ankle ligaments, but his Conference League final involvement is still a “final decision” for Wednesday—less than three weeks before the World Cup. Local fan access: Los Angeles is rolling out free “Kick it in the Park” World Cup screenings across 18 park sites, with youth clinics and match-day events planned during the tournament. Paraguay health-adjacent note: Paraguay’s poultry exports have cleared a major hurdle with authorization for direct shipments to the UAE, a reminder that food safety and animal health systems are increasingly tied to public health outcomes.

World Cup Roster Buzz (US): The U.S. named its 2026 World Cup squad, with Los Angeles-area stars Haji Wright and Cristian Roldan making the cut—both set for group games near where they grew up at SoFi Stadium. Paraguay Health & Food Security: Paraguay secured official authorization for direct poultry exports to the United Arab Emirates after sanitary talks, a win for SENACSA-backed controls and a new market beyond the usual regional routes. Measles Protection at Home: Paraguay’s National Vaccination Day pushed measles coverage to 89%, vaccinating 420,646 children (ages 1–5) with the triple viral booster through May 29. Public Health Risk (Climate): A new multi-country study links hotter conditions to higher risk of premature birth, including in Paraguay—another reminder that heat is a health issue, not just discomfort. Animal Welfare in Asunción: Mascotizate Fest 2026 returns with free veterinary care and pet-owner awareness activities at Costanera on May 24.