OIE support to rabies endemic countries: a vaccine bank in Asia

Dogs are the main transmitters of rabies in endemic countries in Africa and Asia, where the majority of the 70,000 estimated human deaths due to rabies occur. Dog vaccination is therefore the preferred method of control, preventing more than 95% of human cases at only approximately 10% of the costs needed for post-bite treatment in people .

The OIE, with the support of its subregional representation in Bangkok (Thailand), is currently managing a rabies vaccine bank in Asia with the financial support of the European Union, under the framework of the regional cooperation programme on Highly Pathogenic and Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases in Asia (HPED). This first regional rabies vaccine bank was launched in early 2012 and could serve as a model for developing other rabies vaccine banks in other regions of the world.

The rabies vaccine bank delivers vaccines to eligible countries (according to donor requirements) at the request of Delegates to the OIE (official country representatives of national Veterinary Services), allowing effective public/private partnerships between international organisations, national authorities, local authorities, NGOs and private companies to be established.

The guidelines for the use of the vaccine bank approved by the eligible countries specify that the applicant country must, in particular: • prove that there is an increase in bite rates and human mortality; that the location of the outbreak(s) increases the risk of rabies spreading to people and/or animals; and that further spread of the disease may occur;
• provide a statement explaining that the national Veterinary Services are engaged and will have the authority to implement or supervise the vaccination of dogs; 
• submit a specific vaccination control strategy;
• specify the nature and quantities of vaccines required;
• agree to international transportation conditions.

Coinciding with World Rabies Day in 2012, the OIE donated 50,000 injectable rabies vaccines to Lao PDR through the regional rabies vaccine bank (see map). Following this first donation, other countries have requested the OIE for vaccine deliveries. Among them are countries in which GARC has projects, like the Philippines. Other deliveries are under preparation in other South-East Asian countries.

Ideally, a vaccination campaign should cover approximately 70% of the existing dog population, and canine vaccination should be sustained over time until sufficient immunity is achieved among the dog population. Understanding the ecological parameters of the dog population and adapting the control strategies to the epidemiological situation, and the resources available are key to the success of a dog vaccination campaign. The vast majority of dogs can be provided with parenteral vaccination in the field, and vaccination campaigns should be conducted annually (with vaccines that allow a 3 year duration of immunity) to avoid a drop below the canine immunity threshold due to a rapid population turnover.

A regional vaccine bank can help alleviate some of the costs that developing countries are faced with to control rabies. However, a good vaccination programme should also consider the additional expenses involved, such as the costs of planning the programme, coordinating regional programmes or administering vaccine to every possible dog in the villages, as well as dog population control when necessary. In this sense, the communication and participation of the community play a very important role. GARC is offering, in association with the OIE, support to countries that seek it, starting with the Philippines, in order to achieve, in the best possible way, a successful and sustainable dog vaccination campaign that will progressively eliminate rabies from the dog reservoir, and therefore, prevent avoidable human deaths.

Submitted by Dr Marta Martínez Avilés, a veterinary epidemiologist in the Scientific and Technical Department of OIE.

 

The Compendium of manuscripts, prepared by speakers of the of the OIEGlobal Conference on Rabies Control “Towards Sustainable Prevention at theSource” (7-9 September 2011, Incheon-Seoul, Republic of Korea), is nowavailable for purchase at the OIE online bookshop.

ThisCompendium providesan overview of the current rabies situation worldwide and highlights theimportance of rabies control at the animal source in achieving worldwideelimination of rabies in humans. The recommendations adopted at the end of theconference are also included (also available on the OIE website)