Stakeholders unite to strengthen One Health approach and Zoonotic Disease Preparedness in Dominica

Roseau, Dominica, 18 May 2026 (PAHO/WHO) - A two-day workshop aimed at developing a nationally agreed and prioritized list of zoonotic diseases in Dominica was held at Jungle Bay Resort from 14-15 May 2026. Led by the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, with support from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Bank under the Pandemic Fund Project for the Eastern Caribbean, the initiative brought together more than 20 participants from the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Environment, the Bureau of Standards, academia, and other key stakeholders.

The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Frederique Dorleans, PAHO Advisor for Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, and Ms. Tania de Getrouwe Hoost, Livestock Development Officer and FAO Lead Technical Officer. Sessions covered key topics related to zoonotic diseases, including the One Health approach and methods for prioritizing diseases of public health importance.

The World Health Organization defines zoonotic diseases as diseases and infections that are naturally transmitted between people and vertebrate animals. The impact these diseases can have across multiple sectors in Dominica was highlighted in opening remarks delivered on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture by Technical Officer Ms. Taletha Laudat.

"Diseases affecting animals can also affect humans, sometimes with devastating consequences. By identifying and prioritizing the zoonotic diseases of greatest national concern, we will be better positioned to allocate resources effectively, strengthen surveillance systems, improve laboratory and response capacity, and coordinate actions across sectors."

During the workshop, participants received presentations from National Epidemiologist Dr. Shalauddin Ahmed and Veterinarian Dr. Natalia Lugay, who highlighted disease surveillance activities within the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, respectively, and discussed the implementation of the One Health approach in Dominica.

Plenary discussions and group exercises focused on developing, assessing, and validating a prioritized list of zoonotic diseases for the country. Through extensive consultation, multi-stakeholder groups applied prioritization criteria such as disease severity, transmission potential, economic impact, and environmental sensitivity to assess endemic and emerging diseases relevant to Dominica.

Reflecting on the workshop, Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Cleona Peters noted:

"This training was timely and necessary and brought out the various perspectives of the multidisciplinary attendees. The activity of prioritizing zoonotic diseases of importance to us also identified our strengths and challenges and emphasized the One Health approach needed for success in managing and eliminating these diseases in this era of climate change."

With the recent establishment of the One Health Committee, stronger intersectoral collaboration is expected in alignment with international frameworks such as the International Health Regulations (IHR), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The workshop concluded with strategic recommendations and the identification of next steps to strengthen coordinated responses to zoonotic diseases across sectors.