THE World Health Organization (WHO) defines veterinary public health as “the sum of all contributions to the complete physical, mental and social well-being of humans through an understanding and application of veterinary medical science”. This definition is especially relevant for the Caribbean, where zoonotic diseases are a recurring challenge.

Across the region, outbreaks of leptospirosis have followed hurricanes and flooding, with contaminated water and rodent infestations driving transmission in Jamaica, Trinidad, and other islands. At the same time, recent global alerts over Hantavirus aboard cruise ships and a confirmed cases of Ebola in Uganda highlight how quickly pathogens can cross borders through environmental conditions, tourism and trade — all of which are central to Caribbean economies.

The sobering truth

The current hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks underscore a sobering reality: Zoonotic infections transmitted between animals and humans are not rare events but recurring and present threats. Rabies remains endemic in 10 Caribbean countries, with dogs, mongoose and bats the main reservoirs. Salmonellosis continues to burden health-care systems, while mpox and similar infections spread across borders. Each of these demonstrates the urgent need for strengthening and integrating public health systems that bridge veterinary and human medicine. Expanded surveillance, improved laboratory capacity, harmonised food safety standards, capacity building, and strong stakeholder partnerships are not optional — they are imperatives to protect lives, industries, and economies.

Why the action cannot wait

In many countries, the importance of veterinary public health is often overlooked or treated as a niche discipline. Yet, this arm of public health is a front line defence against epidemics that can devastate communities, economies and industries. It is the critical link in health-care delivery that safeguards the interdependence between humans and animals, preventing up to 75 per cent of emerging infectious diseases from erupting into crises. For example, the leptospirosis outbreak of 2025 in Jamaica showed how zoonotic diseases can escalate into human tragedy. The current hantavirus and Ebola alerts remind us that even distant outbreaks can ripple into local vulnerabilities. Beyond outbreaks, the misuse of antibiotics in animal husbandry fuels antimicrobial resistance, creating pathogens that no longer respond to treatment. Food fraud, such as adulteration of animal-origin food products, further undermines public health integrity. Addressing these issues requires urgent consensus that unites veterinary, medical, and environmental expertise, backed by strong policies and enforcement.

Lessons from the past for the future

The SARS outbreak of 2003 remains a stark reminder of how fragile health security systems are when veterinary public health programmes are underdeveloped. Emerging from live animal markets in Guangdong, China, SARS spread rapidly across more than 25 countries, infecting over 8,000 people and killing nearly 800 while inflicting an estimated US$30-100 billion in economic losses. What made this outbreak so devastating was not only the speed of transmission but the absence of strong oversight at the animal-human interface. Robust veterinary public health programmes could have detected or even prevented the spillover. Twenty-three years later, the world continues to face a scarcity of veterinary public health professionals. In many Caribbean countries these professionals are stretched thin, covering livestock health, food safety, and surveillance. Specialised training remains rare, creating dangerous gaps in disease monitoring and antimicrobial resistance control.

Act swiftly

If the Caribbean fails to act swiftly the consequences could be profound. Zoonotic diseases such as leptospirosis, rabies and mpox continue to place heavy burdens on health-care systems and communities. Beyond the human toll, outbreaks carry significant economic impacts, including livestock losses, reduced agricultural productivity, and weakened food security. Tourism and trade connections also heighten the risk of rapid spread, turning localised outbreaks into regional epidemics. These outbreaks are not isolated health events; they are reminders of the vulnerabilities within weak veterinary public health systems.

Acting swiftly means moving from reaction to prevention. It requires decisive investment in veterinary public health programmes as a national priority, with stronger surveillance, modern diagnostic tools, and well-trained professionals ready to respond. Laboratory capacity must be expanded for rapid testing while monitoring networks should cover both rural and urban spaces, including ports of entry. Swift action also demands political commitment to integrate veterinary public health into broader health and development agendas. By acting now the Caribbean can prevent small outbreaks from escalating into crises, protect its economies, and safeguard the health of its people.

Regional integration a strategy

Because pathogens do not respect borders, integration ensures that no country is left vulnerable and that resources are used more efficiently. Caribbean nations must therefore commit to shared surveillance, harmonised standards, and collaborative training programmes that strengthen veterinary public health capacity across the region. Joint laboratory networks and coordinated emergency response systems can provide smaller states with access to advanced diagnostics and rapid containment measures. Public awareness campaigns, supported at the regional level, will also help communities adopt safer practices and reduce risks at the grassroots.

Securing the Caribbean’s future

The Caribbean cannot afford to continue treating veterinary public health as secondary. Building resilience requires decisive investment in research that strengthens evidence-based policies, supports innovation in diagnostics, and guides effective interventions. Training professionals, equipping them with modern tools, and expanding surveillance systems that can detect zoonotic agents before they spread are equally critical. Strengthened capacity and expanded field monitoring networks will ensure rapid testing and containment. By embedding these efforts within a cooperative regional framework and the ‘One Health’ approach which unites veterinary, medical, and environmental expertise, the region can safeguard human lives, protect its economies, and secure a healthier, more sustainable future.

Dr Karlene Atkinson is the vice-dean (acting) for the Joint Colleges of Medicine, Oral Health and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Technology, Jamaica.

Dr Karlene Atkinson .