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. 2025 Mar 10;231(Supplement_2):S108-S113.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiae629.

Strengthening the Surveillance and Response to Public Health Events With a One Health Approach: A Perspective From 12 Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean

Ángel Rodríguez  1 , Paula Couto  1 , Alejandra Acevedo  2 , Belsy Acosta Herrera  3 , Olaya Astudillo  1 , Martín Avaro  4 , Gisela Barrera Badillo  5 , Alfredo Bruno  6   7 , Patricia Bustos  2 , Mauricio Cerpa  1 , Hector Chiparelli  8 , Dulce Duron  9 , Rodrigo Fasce  2 , Axel Galo  10 , Elías Guilarte  3 , Irma López Martínez  5 , Mariela G Martínez  1 , Jairo Méndez-Rico  1 , María Fernanda Olivares Barraza  11 , Elena Penayo  12 , María Paz Rojas Mena  13 , Paula Rodríguez Ferrari  11 , Marc Rondy  1 , Viviana Sotomayor Proschle  11 , Priscila S Born  1 , Lidia Redondo-Bravo  1 , Juliana Almeida Leite  1 , Natalia Vergara Mallegas  11 , Marta von Horoch  12 , Andrea Patricia Villalobos Rodríguez  1 , Andrea S Vicari  1
Affiliations

Strengthening the Surveillance and Response to Public Health Events With a One Health Approach: A Perspective From 12 Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean

Ángel Rodríguez et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

The Surveillance Network for Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses (SARInet) has played a crucial role in improving the capacity of Latin American countries to monitor and respond to events with potential public health impact. This perspective compiles and analyzes case studies from several countries in the Americas to illustrate the challenges faced prior to the creation of SARInet, the interventions implemented, and the impacts achieved.

Methodology: This study is based on a series of cases from 12 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The data have been compiled from reports, ad-hoc assessments and technical group analyses conducted before and after the implementation of SARInet in 2014.

Results: Over the past decade, SARInet has been instrumental in strengthening the capacity for early detection and response to public health events in several Latin American countries. Technical cooperation in epidemiological and laboratory surveillance, personnel training, intersectoral coordination and the adoption of advanced technologies have improved the countries' capacity for timely detection and management of epidemic and pandemic outbreaks.

Conclusions: The experience of the countries shows that regional collaboration and the strengthening of local capacities are essential to face future public health challenges.

Keywords: One Health; SARInet; pandemic; respiratory virus; surveillance.

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