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Updated: Jul 24, 2026
Enhanced Rabies Surveillance Using a Direct Rapid Immunohistochemical Test
Published on: April 30, 2019
Customized online and onsite training for rabies-control officers
Hervé Bourhy1, Cécile Troupin1, Ousmane Faye2
1Institut Pasteur, National Reference Centre for Rabies, Paris, France .
Problem:
It is difficult to deliver adequate training for people working in rabies control in low and middle-income countries. Popular e-learning systems for low-income settings are not well suited to developing and testing practical skills, including laboratory methods.
Approach:
We customized training in rabies control methods for African professionals and students from different disciplines. Trainees participated in preparatory online sessions, evaluations and exercises before and after a 12-day workshop. Trainees and mentors continued to interact through an online forum up to one year after the workshop.
Local Setting:
In Africa, 15,000 deaths from rabies occur each year due to a lack of awareness, inaccessibility of post-exposure prophylaxis, inadequate or absent canine rabies-control programmes and lack of governmental financial support.
Relevant Changes:
Thirty two trainees - working in health departments, hospitals, veterinary stations and research institutes - were selected to participate; 28 completed the course and passed the final evaluation. Pilot rabies investigation programmes were developed, and two manuscripts submitted for publication. An online forum facilitated further progress for a year after the workshop.
Lessons Learnt:
A combination of customized online and onsite training is suitable for teaching disease-control personnel in low-income countries. Participation in this course enabled trainees to advocate for the development of national disease-control strategies. Mentoring is needed to develop a strong network of experts in similar settings.
