Judul : Missing Dog Data Hinders Rabies Eradication Progress
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Missing Dog Data Hinders Rabies Eradication Progress
The initiative by the government to eradicate rabies by 2030 is encountering a significant obstacle because of insufficient precise information regarding the number of dogs in the nation, as stated by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC).
Health authorities state that the lack of data is complicating efforts to organize immunization programs and achieve the World Health Organisation's target required to halt the spread of the lethal illness.
Rabies, a deadly virus spread mostly by the bites of infected animals, particularly dogs, remains a significant public health concern.
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Over 2,000 individuals receive treatment for animal bites yearly throughout the nation, with at least one fatality reported each year, as stated by RBC.
Ninety-nine percent of human rabies cases are associated with dog bites, according to health professionals, who emphasize that vaccinating dogs is the most efficient method to reduce spread.
Bosco Mbonigaba, who leads the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Prevention Programme at RBC, mentioned that the lack of accurate information regarding the dog population in the country continues to be a major challenge.
It is challenging to determine the number of dogs and their locations, making it hard to assess vaccine requirements or reach the necessary 70 percent vaccination rate needed to stop the spread.
Accurate information about the dog population in Rwanda is essential for us to determine the quantity of vaccines needed," Mbonigaba mentioned at the Vaccine Symposium, which took place from November 17 to 19 in Kigali. "Without exact numbers, organizing and carrying out vaccination efforts becomes difficult, and eradication cannot be achieved.
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Rwanda initially sought to eradicate all rabies-related deaths by 2024, but this goal has now been extended to 2030. Authorities attribute the delay to challenges in achieving sufficient dog vaccination rates and insufficient financial resources.
Rabies is among the 21 Neglected Tropical Diseases, a collection of illnesses that mainly impact individuals in low-income areas. Although it has a very high mortality rate, rabies continues to receive minimal funding compared to other NTDs.
Mbonigaba pointed out that, unlike other NTDs which receive support from partners, rabies does not get any at the program level. This has led the health sector to incorporate rabies-related efforts into current programs and depend on cross-sector cooperation.
The Department of Agriculture and Animal Resources oversees dog vaccinations, but Mbonigaba mentioned the need for better collaboration with health officials.
In the meantime, medical centers keep providing post-exposure immunization to all individuals who have been bitten by a dog, a strategy that avoids fatalities even prior to complete eradication.
In the last ten years, Rwanda has implemented measures to enhance monitoring and availability of rabies treatment. The reporting of rabies cases has been incorporated into the Health Management Information System (HMIS) and the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system.
Since 2018, drones managed by Zipline have transported vaccines to distant health centers, enhancing access in areas that are difficult to reach. The nation has also created a specific budget category for rabies eradication and formed a cross-sectoral committee to oversee initiatives.
As per the Fifth Population and Housing Census, it is estimated that 66,000 dogs are owned by private households across the country. In order to enhance monitoring, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) has directed dog owners to register their animals and provide evidence of yearly vaccination.
Dogs that go outside the house must also be monitored, kept on a leash, and fitted with a muzzle according to new rules.
Even one case is regarded as an outbreak," stated Dr. Richard Nduwayezu from the Welfare for Animals Guild. "After a person contracts rabies, it almost always results in death.
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Tagged: Rwanda, Governance, Health and Medicine, Central Africa, East Africa
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