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The Caribbean Animal Health Network: New Tools for Harmonization and Reinforcement of Animal Disease Surveillance
Author(s) -
Gongora Victor,
Trotman Mark,
Thomas Reginald,
Max Millien,
Zamora Pastor Alfonso,
Lepoureau Maria Teresa Frias,
Phanord Siméon,
Quirico Jocelyn,
Douglas Kirk,
Pegram Rupert,
Martinez Dominique,
Petitclerc Martial,
Chouin Emilie,
Marchal Céline,
Chavernac David,
Doyen David,
Vachiéry Nathalie,
Molia Sophie,
Hendrikx Pascal,
Lefrançois Thierry
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1428.055
Subject(s) - harmonization , disease surveillance , animal health , citizen journalism , influenza a virus subtype h5n1 , west nile virus , business , disease , world wide web , medicine , computer science , veterinary medicine , virology , virus , physics , pathology , acoustics
The Caribbean Animal Health Network (CaribVET) is a collaboration of veterinary services, diagnostic laboratories, research institutes, universities, and regional/international organizations to improve animal health in the Caribbean. New tools were used by the network to develop regional animal health activities: (1) A steering committee, a coordination unit, and working groups on specific diseases or activities were established. The working group on avian influenza used a collaborative Web site to develop a regionally harmonized avian influenza surveillance protocol and performance indicators. (2) A specific network was implemented on West Nile virus (WNV) to describe the WNV status of the Caribbean countries, to perform a technology transfer of WNV diagnostics, and to establish a surveillance system. (3) The CaribVET Web site (http://www.caribvet.net) encompasses information on surveillance systems, diagnostic laboratories, conferences, bibliography, and diseases of major concern in the region. It is a participatory Web site allowing registered users to add or edit information, pages, or data. An online notification system of sanitary information was set up for Guadeloupe to improve knowledge on animal diseases and facilitate early alert.