Collaborative training tackles animal health management in region

With the aim of improving animal health management, food safety, and food security in the region, over 100 Caribbean stakeholders from 19 countries participated in training on the use of the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS). The training took place on March 27-28, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad in Port of Spain. According to an IICA press statement, it offered participants the opportunity to enhance their skills in disease reporting, risk management, and biosecurity measures.

This training is part of ongoing collaborative efforts among the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the  Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA), of which Dominica is a member state, and the Caribbean Animal Health Network (CaribVET). IICA lists its aim as strengthening the region’s capacity to detect, report, and respond to animal disease threats. Notable threats include transboundary animal diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF) and Avian Influenza, which impact the pig and poultry sectors respectively.

WAHIS is an internationally recognized platform designed to improve disease monitoring and notification. It allows WOAH member and non-member countries to respond promptly and effectively to outbreaks. The platform’s updates also enable private sector entities to report animal health risks. According to Dr. Tiffany Chisholm, Senior Veterinary Officer at the Department of Agriculture, Cayman Islands Government,“A key challenge to surveillance and reporting on animal diseases is limited human resources. Our ability to navigate the WAHIS interface will assist in determining response needs during outbreaks, expediting report submissions and staying connected with neighbouring islands.
Collaboration across Caribbean countries is vital due to the high risk of disease transmission and essential to mitigate that risk.”

Participants expressed appreciation for the training, noting its practical benefits and the potential for significant improvements in national disease surveillance systems. Many highlighted that the knowledge gained would help enhance reporting mechanisms, leading to increased transparency and robustness.

Dr. Lisa Musai, National Focal Point for Animal Diseases Notification and Chief Veterinary Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Trinidad and Tobago, noted the importance of the training in“enhancing Trinidad and Tobago’s ability to report animal health data in a timely and efficient manner. By strengthening our national reporting systems, we’re enhancing both food safety and our credibility in international trade. This localised approach enables us to effectively manage risks and

Ensuring animal health is essential for safeguarding livestock production and supporting the region’s food and nutrition security, as well as rural livelihoods. If left unaddressed, emerging health threats, pests, and diseases can severely impact food production systems, exacerbate issues related to climate change, disrupt supply chains, and increase food prices.

Strengthening disease surveillance and reporting systems through platforms like WAHIS, which facilitate accurate and timely disease reporting, is vital for protecting the livestock industry, supporting regional producers, and maintaining consumer confidence in local food systems, shared IICA. Diana Francis, IICA Representative in Trinidad and Tobago, stated that“In today’s data-driven world, strong information systems are critical, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasing role in improving disease monitoring and response to threats that do not recognise borders or economic status. IICA remains fully committed to collaboration on animal health within the One Health framework”.