Dog data gaps hinder rabies eradication progress

The initiative by the government to eradicate rabies by 2030 is encountering a significant obstacle due to insufficient accurate data regard...

The initiative by the government to eradicate rabies by 2030 is encountering a significant obstacle due to insufficient accurate data regarding the nation's canine population, as reported by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC). According to health officials, this data shortage is complicating the planning of vaccination drives and meeting the World Health Organisation's target necessary to halt the spread of this deadly disease. Rabies, a severe viral illness primarily transmitted through the bites of infected animals, particularly dogs, continues to be a public health concern. ALSO READ: Combating rabies through education and prompt treatment. Over 2,000 individuals receive treatment for animal bites annually throughout the country, with at least one fatality recorded each year, according to RBC. With 99% of human rabies cases associated with dog bites, medical professionals emphasize that vaccinating dogs is the most effective approach to reduce transmission. Bosco Mbonigaba, Director of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Prevention Programme at RBC, stated that the lack of reliable information on the number of dogs in the country remains a major barrier. Without knowing how many dogs exist and their locations, it becomes challenging to determine vaccine requirements or achieve the essential 70 percent vaccination coverage needed to stop the spread. "We need precise data on the dog population in Rwanda to estimate the number of vaccines required," Mbonigaba mentioned during the Vaccine Symposium held from November 17 to 19 in Kigali. "Without accurate figures, organizing and executing vaccination campaigns becomes difficult, and elimination is not feasible." ALSO READ: Vets involved in the anti-rabies campaign in Musanze. Initially, Rwanda aimed to eliminate all rabies-related deaths by 2024, but the goal has now been postponed to 2030. Officials attribute the delay in achieving dog vaccination coverage and limited financial resources as contributing factors to this setback. Rabies is one of 21 neglected tropical diseases, which predominantly affect individuals in low-income communities. Despite its high mortality rate, rabies remains among the least funded NTDs. Mbonigaba pointed out that while other NTDs benefit from support from partners, rabies does not receive any such assistance at the program level. This has compelled the health sector to incorporate rabies-related activities into existing programs and depend on collaboration across multiple sectors. The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources is responsible for dog vaccinations, but Mbonigaba emphasized the need for better coordination with health authorities. Meanwhile, health facilities continue to provide post-exposure vaccination to anyone bitten by a dog, a measure that prevents fatalities even before full eradication is achieved. Over the past ten years, Rwanda has made efforts to enhance surveillance and access to rabies treatment. Rabies reporting has been incorporated into the Health Management Information System (HMIS) and the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) platform. Since 2018, vaccines have been delivered to remote health facilities using drones operated by Zipline, improving availability in hard-to-reach areas. The country has also allocated a specific budget line for rabies elimination and formed a multisectoral committee to coordinate initiatives. According to the Fifth Population and Housing Census, an estimated 66,000 dogs are owned by private households nationwide. To improve tracking, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) has mandated that dog owners register their pets and present evidence of annual vaccination. Dogs taken outside their homes must also be supervised, leashed, and muzzled under new regulations. "Even a single case is considered an outbreak," said Dr. Richard Nduwayezu of the Welfare for Animals Guild. "Once a person is infected with rabies, it almost always results in death."

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