A call to strengthen veterinary public health programmes

The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the critical need to strengthen veterinary public health programs in the Caribbean, where zoonotic diseases frequently emerge following hurricanes and flooding. Outbreaks of leptospirosis in Jamaica, Trinidad, and other islands—driven by contaminated water and rodent infestations—demonstrate the region’s recurring challenges. Recent global alerts, including hantavirus cases on cruise ships and Ebola in Uganda, highlight how quickly pathogens can spread through environmental conditions, tourism, and trade, all vital to Caribbean economies. Zoonotic infections, such as rabies (endemic in 10 Caribbean nations) and salmonellosis, are persistent threats, requiring integrated public health systems that bridge veterinary and human medicine. Expanded surveillance, improved laboratory capacity, and harmonized food safety standards are essential to prevent epidemics that could devastate communities and industries. The misuse of antibiotics in animal husbandry also exacerbates antimicrobial resistance, creating treatment-resistant pathogens, while food fraud further undermines public health. Current veterinary public health programs in the region are often underfunded and overlooked, despite their role in preventing up to 75% of emerging infectious diseases. The 2025 leptospirosis outbreak in Jamaica and the ongoing hantavirus and Ebola alerts illustrate how local vulnerabilities can escalate from distant threats. Without urgent action—including specialized training for professionals and stronger policies—diseases like rabies, mpox, and antimicrobial-resistant infections will continue to strain health systems. The 2003 SARS outbreak, originating from live animal markets in China, serves as a cautionary example of how weak oversight at the animal-human interface can lead to global devastation. With an estimated $30–100 billion in economic losses and nearly 800 deaths, SARS exposed the fragility of health security when veterinary public health is neglected. Twenty-three years later, the Caribbean faces similar gaps, with limited veterinary professionals stretched thin across livestock health, food safety, and disease monitoring. The WHO warns that inaction could have severe consequences, as zoonotic diseases like leptospirosis, rabies, and mpox persist as major health burdens. Strengthening veterinary public health requires collaboration among veterinary, medical, and environmental experts, backed by enforceable policies. Without immediate investment in surveillance, laboratory infrastructure, and antimicrobial resistance control, the Caribbean risks repeated outbreaks that threaten lives and economic stability.