Veterinary Epidemiologist/Para-Epidemiologist Project
Project start date:
01/05/2008Project end date:
01/09/2012Objectives
General objective
To establish an early detection and rapid response system in the Caribbean region through the implementation and reinforcement of harmonised and sustainable epidemiological surveillance systems for TBT&TBD, TADs and other priority / emerging diseases.
Specific objectives
- Develop and reinforce national surveillance systems in targeted Caribbean countries
- Encourage private-public partnership
- Encourage animal health-public health partnership
- Develop and initiate harmonised surveillance protocols for animal diseases with focus on priority diseases
- Create, strenghthen and maintain coordinated and harmonized national and regional databases
- Human capacity building and infrastructure enhancement
- Support and operate a rapid national and regional emergency respond task force
- Strenghten the existing CaribVET network and the collaboration between the member countries and regional/international organizations
Description
Regional activities
- Participate in the evaluation of national surveillance network in their country or in another country (SNAT tool)
- Assist the planning, development and conducting of simulation exercises
- Be available in case of an emergency and when requested by their CVO
National activities
- Assist in the building of the epidemiological surveillance network by adapting surveillance protocols on the basis of models established by the CaribVET working groups
- Coordinate sample collection, preparation and submission to national and regional laboratories
- Management of the epidemiological surveillance database, GIS systems (and, according to the country, contribute to farmer register and livestock census databases)
- Review of national emergency plans and adapt them on the basis of models established by the CaribVET working groups
- Establishing contacts with farmers, producers, producer organizations, suppliers, private veterinarians and other stakeholders
- Prepare and submit activity reports to the CVO
- Conducting specific disease prevalence surveys
Partners
IICA, USDA-APHIS-IS, and the French Agricultural Development Agency (CIRAD) serve as the technical coordinators of the VEP project. In addition, the Caribbean Animal Health Network (CaribVet) serves as a regional coordinator of the project, ensuring that the project continues to meet the needs of the Caribbean countries.
Teams
The project currently involves ten participants from ten different islands, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent.
Foundings
The VEP project is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – International Services (USDA-APHIS-IS).