Evaluating human rabies control in Asia: using 'One Health' principles to assess control programmes for rabies

Rabies is a global issue, and kills tens of thousands of people every year, despite being a preventable disease. The goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030 requires serious collaborative efforts across Ministries and countries. This cross-sector cooperation includes, but is not limited to, physicians, veterinarians, local authorities, local communities and the media; in other words, a 'One Health' approach. Countries where human rabies has been successfully eliminated still require constant vigilance, in terms of regulations on companion animal ownership and vaccination, the movement of animals from countries where the disease still exists, and the continued raising of public awareness. Rabies-endemic countries need to refocus their efforts towards eliminating the disease once and for all, by working together and sharing their knowledge, experiences and efforts. Rabies control programmes require the efficient management of resources, and surveillance programmes do not need to be specific to one disease. Governments must play a more proactive role by enforcing legislation and allocating funds and resources to help to eliminate human rabies by 2030 throughout the world.