The University of the West Indies and PAHO are strengthening regional collaboration on infectious disease diagnostics and genomic surveillance across the Caribbean.
The two organisations hosted a virtual regional meeting on December 3rd aimed at strengthening their partnership.
The session brought together more than 40 public health, veterinary and laboratory professionals from 10 countries and territories. Genomic surveillance means studying the genetic makeup of viruses and bacteria to see how diseases spread, change and trigger outbreaks.
Participants agreed on the need for better training, national surveillance strategies and stronger use of genomic data in public health policy. Experts from PAHO, CARPHA and international institutions showed how genomics can help detect outbreaks earlier, track diseases like dengue and Zika, and improve regional health responses.
Overall, the meeting highlighted how stronger collaboration and shared genomic tools can help protect Caribbean health and strengthen regional health security.