Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 9, 2026
07:54
Author Spotlight: Rabies-Specific Antibody Isotypes Detection in Sera or Cerebral Spinal Fluid Using an IFA Test
Published on: January 19, 2024
3.3K
Rabies control in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
K LeRoux1, D Stewart2, K D Perrett3
1Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Bulletin of the World Health Organization
|June 8, 2018
Summary
A successful One Health approach in KwaZulu-Natal significantly reduced dog rabies cases and eliminated human rabies by 2014. This involved mass dog vaccinations and improved public health strategies, demonstrating effective rabies control.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Public Health
- Epidemiology
- One Health Initiatives
Background:
- Dog-mediated rabies remains endemic in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, due to urbanization and large dog populations.
- Previous control efforts were insufficient, with canine rabies persisting since 1976 and causing an average of 9.2 human cases annually until 2007.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and evaluate a One Health strategy for rabies prevention and control in KwaZulu-Natal.
- To reduce canine rabies transmission and human exposure to the rabies virus.
Main Methods:
- A One Health approach was adopted from 2007 to 2014, integrating human and animal health sectors.
- Mass dog vaccination campaigns were conducted, alongside public awareness initiatives and improved access to post-exposure prophylaxis for humans.
Main Results:
- Dog vaccinations increased from 358,611 to 395,000, and human vaccine purchases rose from 100,046 to 156,996.
- Canine rabies cases dramatically decreased from 473 in 2007 to 37 in 2014.
- Zero human rabies cases were recorded in KwaZulu-Natal in 2014, attributed to reduced canine rabies, increased awareness, and better prophylaxis delivery.
Conclusions:
- A scalable One Health approach, starting small and expanding, proved effective in rabies control.
- The project's success was underpinned by competent staff, adequate resources, and comprehensive training for field workers.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Control System Problem
440
In an open-loop system, such as a basic thermostat, the poles of the transfer function influence the system's response but do not determine its stability. However, when feedback is introduced to form a closed-loop system, such as an advanced thermostat that adjusts heating based on room temperature, stability is governed by the new poles of the closed-loop transfer function.
When forming a closed-loop system, issues can arise if the poles cross into the unstable region, leading to potential...
When forming a closed-loop system, issues can arise if the poles cross into the unstable region, leading to potential...
440
02:33Combinatorial Gene Control
9.7K
Combinatorial gene control is the synergistic action of several transcriptional factors to regulate the expression of a single gene. The absence of one or more of these factors may lead to a significant difference in the level of gene expression or repression.
The expression of more than 30,000 genes is controlled by approximately 2000-3000 transcription factors. This is possible because a single transcription factor can recognize more than one regulatory sequence. The specificity in gene...
The expression of more than 30,000 genes is controlled by approximately 2000-3000 transcription factors. This is possible because a single transcription factor can recognize more than one regulatory sequence. The specificity in gene...
9.7K
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
475
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
475
01:10Control Systems
1.9K
Control systems are everywhere in contemporary society, influencing diverse applications from aerospace to automated manufacturing. These systems can be found naturally within biological processes, such as blood sugar regulation and heart rate adjustment in response to stress, as well as in man-made systems like elevators and automated vehicles. A control system is essentially a network of subsystems and processes that collaboratively convert specific inputs into desired outputs.
At the heart...
At the heart...
1.9K
01:22Controller Configurations
388
Controller configurations are crucial in a car's cruise control system because they manage speed over time to maintain a consistent pace regardless of road conditions, thereby meeting design goals. In traditional control systems, fixed-configuration design involves predetermined controller placement. System performance modifications are known as compensation.
Control-system compensation involves various configurations, most commonly series or cascade compensation, in which the controller...
Control-system compensation involves various configurations, most commonly series or cascade compensation, in which the controller...
388
01:19PID Controller
725
Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers are widely used in various control systems to enhance stability and performance. In a thermostat, it adjusts heating or cooling based on the temperature difference between the actual and desired levels. They are often used in automotive speed systems, effectively managing sudden speed changes while maintaining a constant speed under varying conditions. On the other hand, PI controllers, commonly employed in voltage regulation, enhance stability...
725