The Pasteur Institute of Iran has been officially designated as a WHO Collaborating Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, marking a significant milestone in its longstanding efforts to strengthen regional health security. During the sidelines of the conference "Malaria in Iran: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives" on May 21, 2025 at the institute's camus, the Director-General, Dr. Ehsan Mostafavi, announced this achievement. The recognition was accompanied by a formal letter of appreciation from the Minister of Health to Dr. Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO-EMRO). This new designation underscores Iran’s prominent role in disease control, as the country now hosts the highest number of WHO Collaborating Centers in the EMRO region, enhancing its capacity to support regional efforts against infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, rabies, and plague.

The establishment of this WHO Collaborating Center reflects the institute’s rich history of impactful contributions to public health, including its work during the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing efforts in disease prevention and control. Considering that approximately 17% of infectious diseases are vector-borne, the center will serve as a vital hub for technical support, research, and regional cooperation. It will facilitate knowledge exchange, training, and the development of strategic guidelines to combat vector-borne diseases. This development is expected to strengthen Iran’s ability to address emerging health challenges, promote regional collaboration, and advance global health security efforts in infectious disease control.

It is also important to note that, in recognition of the valuable efforts of the Pasteur Institute of Iran in improving health outcomes for rabies victims, the institute’s Rabies Department has been designated by WHO as a collaborating center for research and reference since 1976. The new WHO Collaborating Center will be the second at the Pasteur Institute of Iran after 50 years.