Global rabies management: perspectives on regional strategies for prevention and control

Abstract

Rabies is a major neglected zoonotic disease, despite the availability of highly sensitive diagnostic tests and efficacious human and animal vaccines. Perpetuation of rabies among multiple species of bats and wild carnivores, together with the presence of diverse lyssaviruses, remains a challenge for the prevention and control of this disease. However, most of the global burden may be reduced by mass vaccination of dogs, the major reservoir. Elimination of human rabies mediated by dogs may be feasible, based upon the elicitation of herd immunity, the application of sound health economic principles for appropriate disease management and technology transfer to those developing countries where rabies is hyper-endemic. Global canine rabies elimination has clear benefits for public health, veterinary medicine and conservation biology, so these sectors must collaborate using a transdisciplinary 'One Health' approach that allows the creation of long-term regional strategies for enhanced surveillance and practical intervention.

Notes on three periods of rabies focus in the Middle East: From progress during the cradle of civilization to neglected current history

“…Rabies, a fatal encephalitis caused by lyssaviruses, has been documented in several documents which may date back at least 4,000 years (Fisher et al, 2018). Today, rabies lyssavirus (RABV), which causes most human rabies cases, can be found in Africa, Eurasia and throughout the New World (Rupprecht et al, 2018b). The disease occurs after exposure to virus-containing saliva of rabid mammals, principally carnivores and bats, but is mainly transmitted to humans through dog bites.…”