Strategies for controlling dog-mediated human rabies in Asia: using 'One Health' principles to assess control...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Public Health
• Infectious Disease Control
• Zoonotic Disease Management

Background:

• Over 99% of human rabies cases in endemic regions originate from dog bites.
• Controlling dog rabies, particularly in free-roaming populations, is essential for reducing human rabies transmission.
• The 'One Health' approach is vital for integrated rabies control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a comprehensive strategy for eliminating dog-mediated human rabies in Asia.
• To highlight key components of a national rabies control program.
• To present the Republic of Korea as a model for successful rabies elimination.

Main Methods:

• Mandating rabies as a reportable or notifiable disease.
• Establishing dedicated rabies control committees operating under the 'One Health' framework.
• Implementing national rabies control programs encompassing mass dog vaccination, laboratory surveillance, and population management.

Main Results:

• The Republic of Korea has achieved a rabies-free status, with no human cases since 2004 and no confirmed animal cases since 2014.
• Effective rabies control strategies in developed nations lead to the elimination of the disease.
• The proposed multi-component strategy is effective in reducing and eliminating rabies.

Conclusions:

• Eliminating dog rabies is a prerequisite for eradicating human rabies in Asia.
• A robust national rabies control program, incorporating vaccination, surveillance, and inter-agency cooperation, is critical.
• The success of the Republic of Korea demonstrates the feasibility of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies in other Asian countries.