The changing landscape of rabies epidemiology and  control

Cleaveland, Sarah; Beyer, Hawthorne L.; Hampson, Katie; Haydon, Daniel T.; Lankester, Felix; Lembo, Tiziana; Meslin, F. X.; Morters, Michelle; Mtema, Zacharia; Sambo, Maganga; Townsend, Sunny E.

doi:10.4102/ojvr.v81i2.731

Cited by 30 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Besides the fact that medical intervention, i.e., PEP, is not targeted without laboratory confirmation, lack of surveillance data is also one essential component that drives the vicious circle of neglect. Inaccurately low human and animal rabies case numbers belie the strong need for action [15,16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Further Evidence of Inadequate Quality in Lateral Flow Devices Commercially Offered for the Diagnosis of Rabies

Fahrion

Finke

Eyngor³

et al. 2020

TropicalMed

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As a neglected zoonotic disease, rabies causes approximately 5.9 × 104 human deaths annually, primarily affecting low- and middle-income countries in Asia and Africa. In those regions, insufficient surveillance is hampering adequate medical intervention and is driving the vicious cycle of neglect. Where resources to provide laboratory disease confirmation are limited, there is a need for user-friendly and low-cost reliable diagnostic tools that do not rely on specialized laboratory facilities. Lateral flow devices (LFD) offer an alternative to conventional diagnostic methods and may strengthen control efforts in low-resource settings. Five different commercially available LFDs were compared in a multi-centered study with respect to their diagnostic sensitivity and their agreement with standard rabies diagnostic techniques. Our evaluation was conducted by several international reference laboratories using a broad panel of samples. The overall sensitivities ranged from 0% up to 62%, depending on the LFD manufacturer, with substantial variation between the different laboratories. Samples with high antigen content and high relative viral load tended to test positive more often in the Anigen/Bionote test, the latter being the one with the best performance. Still, the overall unsatisfactory findings corroborate a previous study and indicate a persistent lack of appropriate test validation and quality control. At present, the tested kits are not suitable for in-field use for rabies diagnosis, especially not for suspect animals where human contact has been identified, as an incorrect negative diagnosis may result in human casualties. This study points out the discrepancy between the enormous need for such a diagnostic tool on the one hand, and on the other hand, a number of already existing tests that are not yet ready for use.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Further Evidence of Inadequate Quality in Lateral Flow Devices Commercially Offered for the Diagnosis of Rabies

Fahrion

Finke

Eyngor³

et al. 2020

TropicalMed

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“…Additionally, the disease is estimated to cause over 3.7 million (95% CI: 1.6-10.4 million) disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and 8.6 billion USD (95% CI: 2.9-21.5 billion) in economic losses annually 1 . These human and economic losses occur despite the existence of effective anti-rabies vaccines for humans and animals and data that supports the feasibility of dog-rabies elimination 3,4 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A hundred years of rabies in Kenya and the strategy for eliminating dog-mediated rabies by 2030

Bitek¹,

Osoro²,

Munyua³

et al. 2019

AAS Open Res

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Background: Rabies causes an estimated 59,000 human deaths annually. In Kenya, rabies was first reported in a dog in 1912, with the first human case reported in 1928. Here we examine retrospective rabies data in Kenya for the period 1912 – 2017 and describe the spatial and temporal patterns of rabies occurrence in the country. Additionally, we detail Kenya’s strategy for the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies by 2030. Methods: Data on submitted samples and confirmed cases in humans, domestic animals and wildlife were obtained from Kenya’s Directorate of Veterinary Services. These data were associated with the geographical regions where the samples originated, and temporal and spatial trends examined. Results: Between 1912 and the mid 1970’s, rabies spread across Kenya gradually, with fewer than 50 cases reported per year and less than half of the 47 counties affected. Following an outbreak in the mid 1970’s, rabies spread rapidly to more than 85% of counties, with a 4 fold increase in the percent positivity of samples submitted and number of confirmed rabies cases. Since 1958, 7,584 samples from domestic animals (93%), wildlife (5%), and humans (2%) were tested. Over two-thirds of all rabies cases came from six counties, all in close proximity to veterinary diagnostic laboratories, highlighting a limitation of passive surveillance. Conclusions: Compulsory annual dog vaccinations between 1950’s and the early 1970’s slowed rabies spread. The rapid spread with peak rabies cases in the 1980’s coincided with implementation of structural adjustment programs privatizing the veterinary sector leading to breakdown of rabies control programs. To eliminate human deaths from rabies by 2030, Kenya is implementing a 15-year step-wise strategy based on three pillars: a) mass dog vaccination, b) provision of post-exposure prophylaxis and public awareness and c) improved surveillance for rabies in dogs and humans with prompt responses to rabies outbreaks.

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“…Sikkim is a small Himalayan state in North East India bordered by Nepal, China, and Bhutan (Figure 1), with a population of 610,000 (2011 census) (6). The core components of the Sikkim Anti-Rabies and Animal Health (SARAH) program (the Program) are canine rabies vaccination, dog population management, and rabies prevention education, which have been shown to control and prevent rabies leading to elimination (7, 8). It also provides health care to street dogs and aims to foster a compassionate attitude toward all animals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This paper provides a perspective on the implementation of the SARAH program for the control and elimination of dog-mediated human rabies in Sikkim and the benefits and challenges of a One Health approach (7, 9, 10). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eliminating Dog-Mediated Rabies in Sikkim, India: A 10-Year Pathway to Success for the SARAH Program

Byrnes¹,

Britton²,

Bhutia

2017

Front. Vet. Sci.

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A third of the world rabies burden is in India. The Sikkim Anti-Rabies and Animal Health (SARAH) program is the first state-wide rabies program in India and demonstrates a successful One Health model of dog-mediated rabies elimination. The SARAH program was created in 2006 as a collaboration between the Government of Sikkim and international non-government organizations—Vets Beyond Borders and Fondation Brigitte Bardot. Activities are directed to canine rabies vaccination, humane dog population control, community education, and treatment of sick and injured animals. In 2005, there were 0.74 human rabies deaths per 100,000 (4 deaths) within Sikkim, and from 2006 to 2015, there were no human rabies deaths. In 2016, two human rabies deaths were reported near the West Bengal border region. From 2005 to 2010, the incidence of animal rabies is unknown; from 2010 to 2016, eight cases of animal rabies were reported. Major challenges for the program are continued commitment to rabies control in the face of 0 to low human rabies incidence and the risk of rabies incursions. Effective intersectoral communication between Health, Veterinary, Forestry, and Police officers is essential to enable rapid response to animal bite incidents and possible rabies incursions. An integrated One Health approach needs to be maintained with enhanced active rabies surveillance. Other states must establish similar programs if India is ever to achieve a goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies.

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The changing landscape of rabies epidemiology and control

Cited by 30 publications

References 36 publications

Further Evidence of Inadequate Quality in Lateral Flow Devices Commercially Offered for the Diagnosis of Rabies

Further Evidence of Inadequate Quality in Lateral Flow Devices Commercially Offered for the Diagnosis of Rabies

A hundred years of rabies in Kenya and the strategy for eliminating dog-mediated rabies by 2030

Eliminating Dog-Mediated Rabies in Sikkim, India: A 10-Year Pathway to Success for the SARAH Program

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