Strategies to eliminate rabies globally by 2030

A strong international drive is under way to put an end to all indigenously acquired dog-mediated rabies cases among humans by the end of this decade. In this article, researchers in the field set out the challenge.

"Rabies, caused by a negative strand RNA-virus belonging to the genus Lyssavirus (family Rhabdoviridae of the order Mononegavirales), remains of global concern.

This vaccine-preventable viral zoonosis is present in more than 150 countries and territories.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies is estimated to cause around 59 000 human deaths annually, with 95% of cases occurring in Africa and Asia.

However, rabies still occurs in other regions, such as Latin America and the Caribbean, Central Asia and the Middle East.

Whilst a number of animals can host the virus, dogs are the main source of human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99% of all rabies transmissions to humans. Dog-mediated rabies has been eliminated from Western Europe, Canada, the US, Japan and some Latin American countries. Nevertheless, the risk of reintroduction and disease among travellers to risk areas is a matter of concern.

Zero by 30, the global strategic plan to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 was launched in June 2018.

It targets the dog reservoir of the disease, and aligns efforts to prevent human rabies and strengthen animal and human health systems. As with all zoonotic diseases, a 'One human, animal and environmental health' (One Health) approach with cross-continental, multidisciplinary collaborations will be central to achieving the aims of this strategy.

Such an approach will enable a better understanding of the complex interactions between human and animal health within a shared environment. This entails the integration of actions between the WHO, the World Organization for Animal Health, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, as well as at community level by multidisciplinary teams in the control and prevention of disease in humans and animals.

COLLABORATION ACROSS ALL SECTORS