Towards A Caribbean Regional Diagnostic Network

The first priority for improvement of the wider Caribbean's diagnostic capabilities is to develop a secure, two-way, up-to-date, Web-based record keeping and communications system for use by first responders, diagnosticians, taxonomists, etc. This will entail the linkage of a region-wide network of institutions and government regulatory agencies into a cohesive, distributed system to quickly detect high consequence invasive alien species (IAS) that have been introduced into the Caribbean's agricultural and natural ecosystems and food system, identify them, and report them to appropriate responders and decision makers. As the computer network is developed, the information on IAS from all of the network's laboratories, clinics and specialists will be shared as appropriate throughout the wider Caribbean region. The Caribbean Regional Diagnostic Network (CRDN) must be capable of rapid, early detection of newly introduced and re-emerging IAS, genetically modified IAS, pesticide-resistant IAS and natural changes in endemic organisms, which may increase their pathogenicity, virulence, host range, etc. To accomplish its mission the CRDN must: (i) establish secure internet communications throughout the network to assure secure communications of sensitive information on IAS related issues, (ii) perform rapid and accurate diagnoses and identifications of IAS as the basis for implementing management and response strategies, and (iii) provide leadership and training to first detectors, diagnosticians and taxonomists.