Challenges and opportunities for the next miles in global rabies control

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Public Health
• Zoonotic Disease Control
• Global Animal Health

Background:

• The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), established in 1924, has been instrumental in global animal rabies control.
• Rabies remains a critical zoonotic pathogen, necessitating ongoing international efforts for its management and elimination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical and ongoing contributions of WOAH to animal rabies control.
• To identify key factors for future success in rabies prevention and elimination.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of WOAH's initiatives in rabies diagnostics, surveillance, and vaccination.
• Examination of WOAH's role in country partnerships, test validation, vaccine banking, and reference laboratory networks.

Main Results:

• WOAH has driven significant advancements in rabies diagnostics, surveillance, and animal vaccination.
• WOAH established the largest rabies vaccine bank in Africa and Asia and created the WOAH Rabies Reference Laboratory Network (RABLAB).

Conclusions:

• WOAH's long-standing leadership positions it to drive future innovations in rabies control.
• Future rabies elimination hinges on improved partner coordination, financial investment, and advancements in diagnostics and vaccines.