Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands – The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), in collaboration with the Government of the Cayman Islands, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), hosted the Regional Vector-Borne Disease Workshop: “Networking for Improved Responsiveness” from November 19–21, 2024, at Hotel Indigo, Grand Cayman. The event brought together representatives from over 15 Caribbean nations to address the urgent threat of vector-borne diseases.
With record-breaking increases in cases of dengue and other arboviral diseases globally, the workshop provided a platform for regional and international experts to address critical thematic areas such as surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, community engagement, and vector control.
Collaboration in Action: Hon. Dwayne Seymour, Minister for Health (a.g.), Cayman Islands, emphasised the need for collective action. “Vector-borne illnesses are among the most pressing public health challenges of our time. How do we meet this challenge? The answer lies in collaboration,” he stated.
Dr. Horace Cox, Director of Surveillance Disease Prevention and Control (a.g.) at CARPHA, highlighted the urgency of coordinated strategies to protect Caribbean populations. Meanwhile, Dr Natalie Wright of the UKHSA acknowledged the significance of leveraging expertise across key stakeholders such as CARPHA, UKHSA, PAHO, and the Cayman Islands to make this meeting possible.
In alignment with the Global Arbovirus Initiative, workshop participants benefitted from exchanges on strengthening vector control, enhancing innovation, and building coalitions across sectors to tackle arboviruses with epidemic potential. Opportunities were also provided to share regional perspectives.
The workshop was funded with support from the European Union under the 11th EDF Programme, supporting health system strengthening for the prevention and control of outbreaks of Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases in the Caribbean. It was also supported by the FCDO-funded UKOT Health Security programme at UKHSA, PAHO and the Government of the Cayman Islands.