Animal rabies in Mozambique: a retrospective study with focus on dog rabies and vaccination coverage

Rabies, a highly preventable zoonotic disease, remains a major public health problem in Mozambique with approximately 50 human fatalities per annum due to dog-mediated rabies. This study analysed animal rabies cases and dog vaccination coverage, confirmed between 2001 and 2021, based on history, clinical signs, and/or diagnostic tests. During this period, 955 animal rabies cases were reported with the highest occurrence in Maputo (n = 283; 29.6%) and the lowest from Zambézia and Sofala provinces (n = 30; 3.1%). A significant number of animal rabies cases occurred in 2005 (n = 180; 18.8%). Most cases were identified in domestic dogs (n = 766; 80.2%). During the same period, 4.6 million dogs were vaccinated against rabies and the countrywide coverage was 10.4%. The total number of vaccinations administered increased over the 21-year period, from 46 301 in 2001 to a peak of 464 780 in 2018 before slightly declining in subsequent years. Rabid dogs are still important reservoirs and vectors species in Mozambique. More effective control measures, surveillance, reporting and enhanced awareness programmes are needed to address this neglected disease and consequently meet the global strategic plan to end human deaths due to dog-mediated rabies by 2030.