The Islands, becoming the Initiative’s 29th country member, also join the Caribbean region of PREZODE, which encompasses Cuba, Dominique, the Dominican Republic, Haiti with St Eustatius, Anguilla as well as the French Antilles, and British Overseas Territories, and, on the mainland, Costa Rica, French Guyana Mexico, Panama. The Caribbean hosts some of the world's most diverse ecosystems but is critically endangered, increasing the region's risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks (see article below).

> Article: The Caribbean, a biodiversity stronghold that can turn into a zoonosis emergence hotspot

Interview with Dr. Lisa Musai, newly appointed Chief Veterinary Officer of Trinidad and Tobago.

What are the main zoonosis issues in Trinidad and Tobago?

We mainly face two recurring infectious diseases of animal origin: paralytic rabies in ruminants and brucellosis in one closed herd of feral buffaloes. Concerning brucellosis, because of the feral nature and genetic value of these infected animals, disease eradication is very challenging. For rabies, Trinidad is the only Caribbean country with vampire bat-transmitted rabies. Vampire bats are the vectors for rabies and infect other species via bites. Ruminants, such as cattle, sheep and goats, are the most affected species, and outbreaks tend to occur sporadically. Though there have been few reports of vampire bat-biting in other species, such as hunting dogs, the last case of canine rabies in Trinidad occurred in 1914. We have not had a case of human rabies in over 80 years. We seek to uphold our country’s canine rabies-free and human rabies-free status. However, we are concerned about the drastic increase in the population of vampire bats over the last 20 years and the significant implications for the possible spread of rabies and its dire public health, veterinary health and economic consequences. We routinely vaccinate ruminants for rabies. For all other susceptible species, we vaccinate animals that have been reported bitten by bats. Persons at increased occupational risk of exposure to rabies, such as veterinary, paraprofessional, and laboratory staff, receive rabies boosters periodically. On the rare occasion that persons are reported to have been bitten by vampire bats or had contact with an animal suspected of rabies, post-exposure prophylaxis and vaccination regimes are administered accordingly.  On a global level, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has become a primary focus in disease prevention and control efforts. We are particularly concerned about the possible incursion of this disease via the smuggling of poultry and poultry products across borders, migratory shorebirds, and wild birds. To accomplish surveillance and monitoring activities in these areas, we will need assistance with procurement and technical support.

How do you monitor and prevent infectious diseases?

Trinidad and Tobago have limited resources in terms of staff and surveillance systems. Our veterinary diagnostic laboratory is limited in its capacity. We are often compelled to send collected samples abroad. We are also limited regarding veterinary epidemiology expertise and would welcome training opportunities for our veterinary regulatory staff. 

We encourage and embrace collaboration and cooperation in the region. We belong to the Caribvet network, which promotes close collaboration in veterinary public health in the Caribbean. We are glad to develop synergies and collaborations with the PREZODE community!

How does the country embrace the One Health approach?

As we strive towards developing a formal One Health governance, through our continued collaboration with the Ministry of Health and academia, we begin to forge a path to achieve this. We have established contingency plans in collaboration with other ministries and sectors involved in potential crises. We also are establishing a One Health lab involving employees and colleagues from the Animal Health and Public Health Divisions. Grants from the Pandemic Fund have been awarded for that purpose. We wish to develop the approach further, thanks to our membership in PREZODE.

BIOGRAPHY

Chief Veterinary Officer of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Lisa Musai has been employed in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries for over 27 years. During her tenure, Dr Musai developed a wealth of knowledge and experience in coordinating and implementing animal health Duties and veterinary services in Trinidad, as well as providing leadership to the Animal Health Sub-Division. She was the lead Veterinary Officer charged with managing, coordinating, and executing the disease outbreak field response for the eradication of the Infectious Laryngotracheitis outbreak in poultry in 2004, and with her garnered experience and skills, she was one of the main authors of the Trinidad and Tobago Avian Influenza Contingency Plan, developed in 2005 (revised in 2024) and the Trinidad and Tobago Foot and Mouth Disease Contingency Plan, developed in 2018. In 2024, she played a pivotal role in coordinating field surveillance activities for critical porcine diseases such as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), African Swine Fever (ASF) and Classical Swine Fever (CSF).

Dr. Musai acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Sciences, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and a Master of Science degree in Agri-Food Safety and Food Quality Assurance. She is also the Chair of the CARICOM Committee of Chief Veterinary Officers.