One Health Networks for Infectious Diseases Surveillance and Pandemic Preparedness in Central and South America.

This article focuses on the development and impact of One Health collaborative initiatives in South America and the Caribbean, particularly highlighting the contributions of the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit SOUTH (NAMRU SOUTH) over the past 40 years. One Health is defined as a multidisciplinary approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health to address zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and vector-borne diseases. The article reviews regional networks and surveillance systems established or strengthened after the COVID-19 pandemic and H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks, emphasizing NAMRU SOUTH’s role in infectious disease research, surveillance, and capacity building in partnership with military, governmental, academic, and international organizations. These efforts illustrate the practical application of the One Health framework to improve outbreak preparedness, response, and global biosecurity in the Americas.