As climate change accelerates the spread of vector-borne diseases and viral outbreaks, public health leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean gathered for a pivotal summit to address shared challenges and shape a coordinated regional response. The 2025 Global Virus Network (GVN) Regional Meeting, held May 1–2 in Kingston, Jamaica, brought together virologists, epidemiologists, public health experts, and policymakers from across the Americas to deepen collaboration and scientific readiness.
Hosted by the Global Virus Network in collaboration with The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus and the State University of New York (SUNY) at the University of Buffalo, the two-day meeting underscored the urgent need for regional investment in genomic surveillance, diagnostics, vaccine development, and training. In a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by global mobility, warming temperatures, and shifting ecosystems, experts emphasized that no country can face these threats alone.
“The intellectual strength across the Caribbean and Latin America is extraordinary, but brilliance alone won’t prepare us for the next pandemic,” said Dr. Sten Vermund, GVN chief medical officer and dean of the University of South Florida College of Public Health. “Our response must be as united as the challenges we face.”
From Local Action to Global Impact
Dr. John Lindo of UWI Mona opened the summit by spotlighting the university’s enduring leadership in infectious disease research across 18 Caribbean nations and territories. He emphasized the region’s persistent challenges, from arboviruses like dengue and chikungunya to retroviruses such as HTLV and HIV. The summit, he noted, was an opportunity to “build capacity and act together.”
Throughout the meeting, presenters highlighted how regional institutions—many in small island nations—have grown into critical scientific hubs. Dr. Calum MacPherson of St. George’s University in Grenada described how COVID-19 response investments transformed their university into the national reference lab. “In our studies of febrile illnesses, 20% are due to dengue. The other 80% remain unidentified,” he said, calling for expanded diagnostic capacity.
Surveillance, Climate, and Innovation
Scientific panels showcased advances in artificial intelligence, microbiome research, climate modeling, and wastewater-based surveillance. Dr. Lester Perez of the Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition (APDC) reported the identification of 24 novel viruses, including a new yellow fever strain in Colombia linked to a 1999 Bolivian lineage. The finding underscores the risks posed by emerging viral variants and the urgency of genomic surveillance.
Dr. Christine Carrington of UWI St. Augustine shared how her team tracks viral evolution across humans, animals, and mosquito vectors. This “One Health” approach is essential for mapping transmission routes and informing outbreak response strategies. “We don’t just sequence viruses, we trace their journeys,” she said.
Wastewater surveillance was highlighted as a frontier tool for early outbreak detection. Dr. Helena Solo-Gabriele of the University of Miami presented work on using sewage samples to monitor dengue, respiratory pathogens, Mpox, and even Candida auris in real time—efforts now integrated with Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control.
Vaccines, Equity, and Capacity Building
Dr. Arlene Calvo of the University of South Florida emphasized Panama’s leadership in vaccine research, attributing its success to historic public health infrastructure and cross-institutional collaboration. Her colleagues from INDICASAT-AIP and the Gorgas Memorial Institute described how the country’s National Vaccine Research Center is positioning Panama as a regional innovation hub.
Still, many viral threats remain neglected. Dr. Sten Vermund warned that diseases like herpes simplex virus-2, HTLV-1, and emergent arboviruses are underfunded and overlooked in vaccine pipelines. He called for reframing vaccine policy to prioritize equitable access and disease mitigation, not just infection prevention.
“The only vaccine that immunizes is the one that’s administered correctly and equitably,” said Dr. Vermund.
Investing in People and Partnerships
From Peru to Trinidad and Tobago, speakers called for equitable global partnerships and sustainable funding models. Dr. Eduardo Gotuzzo of Peru’s Institute of Tropical Medicine highlighted the burden of virus-linked cancers among indigenous populations and advocated for LMICs to be “equal partners in science, not just sample providers.”
Dr. Gene Morse of SUNY Buffalo emphasized long-term investment in regional talent and training programs. Drawing on the NIH’s Fogarty International Center programs, he advocated for integrating virology, genomics, and environmental science to build durable research ecosystems in LMICs.
Honoring Regional Excellence
In recognition of her leadership in viral genomics and pandemic preparedness, Dr. Christine Carrington was awarded the inaugural GVN Regional Excellence in Leadership Award (Caribbean and Latin America). “Professor Carrington is a beacon of scientific leadership in the Caribbean and beyond,” said Dr. Vermund.
Looking Forward
As the meeting concluded, participants underscored the need for continued collaboration across borders, institutions, and disciplines. Upcoming GVN initiatives include the GVN Short Course in Translational Virology (December 3–12, 2025) and the GVN Annual Scientific Meeting (March 4–6, 2026), both in Tampa, Florida.
With support from the CDC Foundation, USF Health, and the University of South Florida College of Public Health, the 2025 GVN Regional Meeting marks a crucial step in transforming regional resilience into global security.
For a full list of speakers, presentations, and the official program from the 2025 GVN Regional Meeting: Caribbean and Latin America, click here.
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