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Harare, 04 December 2024 59, 000 people succumb to rabies across the globe and Africa accounts for 25, 000 annually, with the majority being children and those living in marginalised communities, said a senior Government official.
In his address to participants from around the world attending the International Course on the Surveillance and Control of Rabies at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) which opened on Monday, the Chief Director of the Department of Veterinary Services, Dr Pious Makaya said rabies is a disease with a near 100 percent fatality rate once symptoms manifest.
“These fatalities represent not merely statistics, but profound tragedies for families, communities, and nations. This course embodies our collective resolve to confront this challenge.
“Through enhanced surveillance, vaccination initiatives, and public awareness campaigns, the eradication of rabies is within our grasp,” said Dr Makaya.
To eradicate the disease caused mainly by dog bites, Dr Makaya said they have launched a campaign to eradicate the disease by 2030 dubbed the “Zero by 30” which is a Global Strategic Plan that underscores the potential of collaboration, innovation, and political buy-in.
Dr. Makaya expressed optimism that the international course that is bringing together professionals, researchers, and decision-makers in the field of public health not only provides them with knowledge but also equips them with the tools and networks necessary to effect transformative change within their respective regions.
Speaking at the same event, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Livestock Development Officer, Berhanu Bedane, said except for two Island nations of Mauritius and Seychelles, the burden of rabies is heavily felt in the remaining 13 countries of the Southern African region, adding that studies show that about 40 percent of all rabies-related deaths involve children under the age of 15 years.
“Oftentimes, children play with dogs and there is likelihood they fail to report scratches which may lead to infection is high. It is heartbreaking to see children and adults alike succumb to this preventable disease due to challenges ranging from lack of awareness, inadequate technical capacity and resources for confirmatory diagnosis, inaccessible post-exposure prophylaxis, lack of vaccine and logistics to conduct dog mass vaccination, and poor coordination among different sectors, just to mention few,” he said.
Bedane expressed concern that despite the imminent threats of rabies in Southern African countries, few of them have meaningful surveillance or control projects or programmes of their own or support by donor funding with a focus on rabies in recent years.
He said most of the communities in rural areas still need more awareness customized to their conditions and needs on the disease, its prevention methods, and what needs to be done in case of dog bites as sensitization of community members is far from adequate in hard-to-reach areas.
“Not understanding well, the significance of seeking medical attention on time, coupled with lack of access to post-exposure prophylaxis is the main cause of many preventable deaths among rural communities where the problem is high,” he said.
