• UGI USER
  • Dec 06, 2023
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DECOADING RABIES TRANSMISSION: A 16-YEAR TANZANIAM STUDY

A 16-year study in Tanzania led by Professor Katie Hampson delves into rabies transmission dynamics among dogs.

Source: WHO

About Rabies:

  • Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system, causing brain inflammation and eventually leading to death if left untreated.
  • It is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, most commonly dogs.
  • Rabies is almost always fatal, but it can be prevented through vaccination.

The Study and its key findings:

  • The comprehensive study spans 15 years, involving data collection on 50,000 dogs in the Serengeti district.
  • Rabies persists locally, with a few “super-spreader” dogs travelling long distances, contributing to virus dissemination.
  • Mass dog-vaccination, not culling, emerges as the most effective strategy against rabies spread.
  • Rabies differs from typical infectious diseases as it spreads solely through bites, allowing for localized transmission.

Implications and Vaccination Advocacy:

  • Traditional infectious disease models struggle to predict rabies spread due to its local nature.
  • Lower dog density doesn’t necessarily reduce transmission, challenging the efficacy of culling.
  • Large-scale dog vaccination is crucial for preventing rabies spread, contrasting with ineffective culling strategies.

Global Perspective and Vaccine Inequity:

  • While high-income countries have successfully used vaccination to eliminate rabies, equitable vaccine distribution remains a challenge.
  • In countries like India, where rabies is prevalent, mass sterilization efforts overshadow crucial vaccination initiatives.

The study advocates for prioritizing mass dog-vaccination globally to protect both canine and human populations from rabies.