In the context of the PAHO Disease Elimination Initiative, PAHO strengthened Antigua and Barbuda’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to priority communicable diseases through integrated surveillance and targeted technical cooperation. The Organization supported the implementation of harmonized surveillance approaches adapted to small-island contexts, enabling better integration of data across diseases and programs. Technical cooperation included support for laboratory strengthening, vector-control capacity building, and disease-specific elimination actions, such as field missions related to neglected infectious diseases. These efforts enhanced the country’s ability to generate and use timely, high-quality data for decision-making, improve early detection of outbreaks, and sustain progress toward elimination targets. By reinforcing surveillance systems and operational capacities, PAHO helped to reduce the risk of reemergence of eliminated or controlled diseases and strengthened preparedness for emerging threats. The resulting improvements contribute directly to population health by reducing transmission, preventing avoidable illness and deaths, and protecting hard-won public health gains, particularly among populations most exposed to communicable disease risks.

Caption: Identifying mosquito larvae with the Ministry of Health's vector control team
Photographer credit: PAHO/Felicia Carter