Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies (RRT)
Used for: improving every aspect of a passive and active rabies surveillance program.
What is the Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies?
The Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies ensures effective One Health rabies surveillance by collating all the existing national protocols from all relevant sectors into a single, comprehensive, easy-to-use guide that outlines the roles, actions, responsibilities, communication and reporting pathways and partners for every step of rabies surveillance. Where no protocols exist, the Toolkit supplements them with international ‘best practice’ protocols that can be modified and adapted to the local situation.
The Toolkit addresses the responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in a One Health rabies response that spans multiple sectors, helping the stakeholders to effectively undertake their daily activities in the scope of a coordinated rabies control program. It supports the effective and timely implementation of both active and passive rabies surveillance. To do this, the Toolkit is presented in a series of steps that highlight the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder involved in rabies prevention and control, while also providing detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols for each step.
What is the purpose of the Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies?
The Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies operationalizes an Integrated Bite Case Management (IBCM) program within rabies-endemic countries. However, it goes beyond just operationalizing IBCM as the Toolkit can be used to address and improve every scenario related to a rabies surveillance program.
Why should I use the Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies?
The Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies is ideal for governments and national stakeholders that are looking to improve their rabies surveillance through a coordinated, One Health approach. It is also ideal for those countries that are aiming to improve their existing rabies surveillance efforts by incorporating both active and passive surveillance activities.
What are the benefits of the Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies?
The Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies will ensure that all stakeholders involved in rabies control activities not only have access to the most relevant SOPs and protocols in an easy-to-use guide but will also enable thorough investigations of suspect rabies cases in both dogs and humans to be undertaken.
The routine use of the Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies could result in:
- An increase in the number of suspect rabid animals being investigated for signs of rabies.
- An increase in the number of animal rabies cases being identified and subjected to laboratory confirmation.
- An increase in the number of exposed individuals being referred to public health facilities for post-exposures prophylaxis.
- An increase in the number of targeted dog vaccination campaigns in response to bite cases or rabies cases.
Can anyone use the Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies?
No. The Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies has been developed for use by qualified animal and human health professionals who are adequately vaccinated against rabies (e.g., have received rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis) and have the legal authority to undertake government-mandated rabies surveillance in their country.
Is the Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies ready for immediate use?
No. As the Rapid Response Toolkit for Rabies incorporates existing national rabies surveillance protocols, it will need to be adapted and customized for the country’s unique situation. GARC can facilitate this process in collaboration with governmental stakeholders that wish to integrate the Toolkit into the existing rabies surveillance program.