Alarming Rise in Global Rabies Cases Calls for Urgent Attention: Current Vaccination Status and Suggested Key...

Area of Science:

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

Background:

• Rabies, a preventable yet critical zoonotic viral disease, presents challenges globally, with recent increases linked to pandemic-related disruptions.
• The 'Zero by 30' framework, endorsed by WHO, FAO, OIE, and GARC, aims to eliminate human deaths from dog-mediated rabies through widespread dog vaccination.
• Factors such as pandemic lockdowns, food shortages for stray dogs, and post-pandemic abandonment have increased canine aggression and subsequent dog-bite incidents, raising rabies concerns.

Discussion:

• The 'Zero by 30' initiative faces jeopardy due to rising rabies cases and dog-bite fatalities, particularly in regions like India.
• Interventions like stray dog sterilization (ductal occlusion, RISUG) and widespread canine vaccination are crucial for rabies prevention.
• Rabies transmission is not limited to dogs; wildlife reservoirs including foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats also pose a risk.

Key Insights:

• Post-COVID-19 pandemic, increased dog aggression and subsequent rabies cases highlight a public health concern and a threat to the 'Zero by 30' goals.
• Effective rabies control requires a multi-faceted approach, including canine vaccination, sterilization, and addressing human-animal interactions.
• Vaccine administration for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) includes both intradermal and intramuscular routes, with the latter being more common.

Outlook:

• Achieving the 'Zero by 30' target may be challenging within the planned timeframe, necessitating a revised, concerted global strategy.
• The 'One Health' model offers a plausible and integrated approach for managing rabies and curbing its global rise.
• Continued collaboration among international agencies is vital for developing and implementing effective, sustainable rabies control measures.