GARC and OIE formally collaborate

In May 2014, GARC signed an agreement with the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) with a view to encouraging collaboration between the two organizations on issues of common interest. 

This formalizes an on going working relationship between GARC and OIE, particularly on global human canine‐mediated rabies elimination and the development of regional rabies control and elimination strategies, including dog vaccination campaigns and demographic control of dog populations. 

“Most human deaths from rabies are caused by bites from infected dogs. The only way to break the cycle of transmission of rabies between dogs and humans is to vaccinate dogs and control stray dog populations.  At least 70% of dogs should be vaccinated; this would achieve close to zero deaths from rabies for people in contact with dogs,” said Bernard Vallat, Director General of the OIE.

The two organizations will promote national rabies surveillance systems, including transparency/notification, and rabies control or elimination strategies in line with OIE standards and the “Blueprint for Rabies Prevention and Control” and advocate for more involvement of national and local authorities in rabies control, in particular by veterinary services.

As part of the agreement, communication strategies on World Rabies Day will be coordinated.

Executive director of GARC, Louis Nel reiterated the value of the agreement, “The formal collaboration builds upon our excellent ongoing working relationship with the OIE. We are looking forwards to further strengthening and deepening our relationship with the OIE and veterinary services across the world.”