United Against Rabies Forum: The first 2 years

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Global Health Security

Background:

• Dog-mediated rabies causes approximately 59,000 human deaths annually, with domestic dogs being the primary vector.
• The "Zero by 30: the Global Strategic Plan to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030" provides a framework for rabies elimination.
• The United Against Rabies Forum was established in 2020 to advance the goals of the "Zero by 30" plan.

Approach:

• This paper reviews the objectives, governance, activities, and achievements of the United Against Rabies Forum since its inception.
• It details the forum's progress in implementing One Health approaches for rabies control.
• The review also identifies ongoing initiatives and future priorities for the forum.

Key Points:

• The United Against Rabies Forum is a collaborative initiative focused on eradicating human deaths from dog-mediated rabies.
• The forum's activities align with the global strategy to achieve zero rabies deaths by 2030.
• A One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health, is central to the forum's strategy.

Conclusions:

• The United Against Rabies Forum has made progress in its mission to eliminate dog-mediated rabies deaths.
• Continued collaboration and strategic planning are essential for achieving the "Zero by 30" goal.
• The forum's review of its initial two years will guide priority setting for the next 12 months.