Caribbean Veterinary Officials trained in Geographic Information System (GIS) Technology for Animal Health Surveillance, 9-12 November 2015, Belize

Last update: 24 October 2017

Belize, 13 November 2015.

Veterinary officials from 13 Caribbean countries participated in an intensive training workshop on Geographic Information System (GIS) technology for animal health surveillance using the Caribbean Veterinary Information System (C-VIS).

The workshop was held in San Ignacio, Belize between November 9th and 12th and was conducted by the Caribbean Animal Health Network (CaribVET) in collaboration with the Centre de Coopération International de Recherche en Agronomie pour le Développement (CIRAD), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Belize Poultry Association (BPA).

The primary focus of the training was to develop the GIS capacities and improve the skills of the participants including epidemiologists, veterinary officers, agricultural officers and extension officers. In addition, participants were exposed to new technologies such as KoboToolbox® for data collection and QGIS® (formerly known as Quantum GIS®) for data management. They also learned how to develop risk maps based on disease risk factors. 

The trained veterinary officials are committed to conduct C-VIS activities and to build GIS capacities in animal health in their respective countries. An evaluation of the impact of the training and monitoring/follow-up of the trained officials will be organized after the workshop in order to provide maximum support to the national veterinary services to ensure optimal adoption of the tools, and improve C-VIS development in the region.

The 10th European Development Fund (EDF), Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Project, being executed by IICA, provided funding for the training. Under the 10th EDF SPS Project support is being provided to the CaribVET for the development and strengthening of animal health systems in the Region. CaribVET is a collaborative network involving veterinary services, laboratories, research institutes, regional and international organisations and private sector associations to improve animal and veterinary public health in all of the countries and territories of the Caribbean.

   

Last update: 24 October 2017