Rabies in dogs, livestock and wildlife: a veterinary perspective

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Public Health
• Infectious Disease Control
• Global Health Initiatives

Background:

• Rabies remains a significant threat, causing tens of thousands of deaths annually, predominantly in Asia and Africa.
• Domesticated dogs are the primary source of human rabies transmission.
• Despite progress in some regions, widespread control is lacking in resource-limited settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the implementation of mass dog vaccination strategies for rabies control.
• To identify challenges faced by veterinary services in resource-limited settings.
• To highlight the importance of a 'One Health' approach for a rabies-free future.

Main Methods:

• Review of global rabies control initiatives and strategies.
• Analysis of the role of veterinary services in implementing dog vaccination programs.
• Discussion of challenges in resource-limited contexts.

Main Results:

• Mass dog vaccination is identified as the most cost-effective method to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies.
• Veterinary services in resource-limited settings face significant implementation challenges.
• Wildlife surveillance and a 'One Health' framework are crucial for comprehensive disease control.

Conclusions:

• Achieving the goal of zero rabies deaths by 2030 requires sustained efforts in mass dog vaccination.
• Addressing the challenges faced by veterinary services is critical for successful program implementation.
• An integrated 'One Health' approach is indispensable for long-term rabies elimination.