The Formation of the Eastern Africa Rabies Network: A Sub-Regional Approach to Rabies Elimination

Abstract

International rabies networks have been formed in many of the canine-rabies endemic regions around the world to create unified and directed regional approaches towards elimination. The aim of the first sub-regional Eastern Africa rabies network meeting, which included Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda, was to discuss how individual country strategies could be coordinated to address the unique challenges that are faced within the network. The Stepwise Approach towards Rabies Elimination and the Global Dog Rabies Elimination Pathway tool were used to stimulate discussion and planning to achieve the elimination of canine-mediated human rabies by 2030. Our analysis estimated a total dog population of 18.3 million dogs in the Eastern Africa region. The current dog vaccination coverage was estimated to be approximately 5% (915,000 dogs), with an estimated 4910 vaccinators available. Assuming that every vaccinator performs rabies vaccination, this equated to each vaccinator currently vaccinating 186 dogs per year, whilst the target would be to vaccinate 2609 dogs every year for the community to reach 70% coverage. In order to achieve the World Health Organization-recommended 70% vaccination coverage, an additional 11 million dogs need to be vaccinated each year, pointing to an average annual shortfall of $ 23 million USD in current spending to achieve elimination by 2030 across the region. Improved vaccination efficiency within the region could be achieved by improving logistics and/or incorporating multiple vaccination methods to increase vaccinator efficiency, and could serve to reduce the financial burden associated with rabies elimination. Regional approaches to rabies control are of value, as neighboring countries can share their unique challenges while, at the same time, common approaches can be developed and resource-saving strategies can be implemented.

Formation of the Asian Rabies Control Network (ARACON): A common approach towards a global good

“…Since its launch, African member countries have routinely submitted data onto the REB, while relying on the automated data outputs and visualizations to provide decision-makers with accurate, timely data to support national programmatic activities . At a regional level (within the rabies network), the REB has been designed to facilitate transparency and data sharing among neighbouring countries, in an effort to address the transboundary nature of rabies and facilitate a collaborative One Health approach (Pieracci et al, 2017).…”

From recognition to action: A strategic approach to foster sustainable collaborations for rabies elimination

“…In Africa, the Pan-African Rabies Control Network (PARACON) was established in 2015 as the regional network for sub-Saharan African countries [ 20 ]. Subsequently, smaller, community-based, subregional planning structures included the Eastern Africa rabies control planning commission and the first meeting of the East Africa Rabies Network in 2017 (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda) [ 21 ].…”

“…In addition, existing community-based AFI surveillance has incorporated a specific syndromic component to capture animal health information, which is expected to provide more information about community-based rabies cases in animals (Activity IIIa). Kenya also recognizes that rabies is a transboundary disease, therefore the ZDU—with support from the CDC and the GARC—held the first Eastern Africa regional meeting on rabies control in 2017 to strengthen support and collaboration for regional rabies elimination [ 21 ].…”

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

“…Collective data from these areas have been used to dispel doubts about the feasibility of broader country-and region-wide elimination (73). However, in recent analyses of the progress being made towards meeting the 2030 target of global elimination of dog-mediated human rabies, most parts of Africa were shown to be the furthest from this goal, in terms of the time, resources and finances required (74). Both the OIE and WHO have created mechanisms for African governments to procure biologics from vaccine banks to lower economic barriers (75).…”