Rabies diagnosis and surveillance in animals in the era of rabies elimination

Effective real-time surveillance, combined with proficient, decentralised and validated laboratory diagnostics, is a prerequisite for successful rabies control and elimination. The selection and prioritisation of surveillance methodologies, in conjunction with appropriate diagnostic techniques, should reflect the goals of the disease control and elimination programme (Stage 1: proof of burden; Stage 2: human rabies prevention; Stage 3: monitoring and assessment of control measures; Stage 4: verification of rabies elimination; and Stage 5: post elimination). The development of minimum surveillance requirements, in accordance with Chapter 1.4 of the World Organisation for Animal Health Terrestrial Animal Health Code, and routine evaluation of disease elimination indicators are of the utmost importance if the goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 is to be achieved.