Calling for United Action Towards Achieving Rabies-Free Liberia on World Rabies Day 2023
World Rabies Day 2023 observation in Liberia. (c) FAO
Monrovia - Rabies causes human suffering and deaths, particularly that of children and affect livelihoods in general. To accomplish the worldwide objective of achieving zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030, the national and international community must overcome barriers that prevent rabies eradication which includes uneven health systems and conflicts.
On 28 September, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) joined the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), the Ministry of Health (MOH), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners as well as students to observe the 17th annual World Rabies Day in Liberia under the One Health umbrella. Liberia's observance aimed to improve knowledge and awareness in the effort to reduce the number of canine rabies-associated deaths. Reaching a 70 percent immunization coverage among the dog population by 2030 is one of the key milestones in the country, where in 2023, more than 2 615 cases of rabies exposures (dog bites) were officially reported, causing four deaths as of September 2023.
“It is calling the government, health care providers, students, community, and individuals to unite in our pursuit of rabies-free Liberia and our world,” said. Madame Wilhelmina S. Jallah, Minister of Health. She appealed for collaborative actions by both Government and development partners that will ensure availability and affordability of animal and human vaccines against rabies.
“One Health is for everyone, not just a chosen few, as demonstrated by this year's theme, ‘All for One, One Health for all’,” said Bintia Stephen Tchicaya, FAO Representative a.i. in Liberia. She pointed out some of the challenges that the countries face in the global fight against rabies, including insufficient utilization of the laboratory, poor surveillance and reporting systems, poorly coordinated mass vaccination campaigns, a lack of data, a lack of political will, and a lack of capacity to carry out the Stepwise Approach to Rabies Elimination (SARE).
Madame Tchicaya emphasized FAO’s commitment to assisting the Government of Liberia in promoting rabies prevention and control. “The organization will continue to be actively involved in the nation's efforts to eradicate rabies until the entire country is free of the disease and the country joins the league of rabies-free nations.”
Dr Sabenzia Wekesa, International Lab Expert at the FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), in her technical paper presentation at the occasion, shared her knowledge on recent advances in rabies diagnosis in animals and the prospect for establishing diagnosis in humans in Liberia, emphasizing that there is adequate capacity at the Central Veterinary Laboratory to diagnose the disease within the country.
On the other hand, “We have to invest in research,” said Dr. Garmie Voupawoe, whilst delivering a keynote address, on behalf of Mr. Joseph Anderson, MOA Chief Veterinary Officer,. He underscored the importance of policy and actions guided by evidence and facts in the efforts to eradicate rabies across the country. He also encouraged the young students and other participants to be actively involved in the awareness and education efforts, by saying that “One person here at least needs to talk to five people.”
Other partners who spoke at the occasion while pledging greater cooperation and support, drew attention on the need for more commitment and ownership of the process by Government for the country to meet the global target of zero dog mediated rabies by the year 2023.
FAO’s Support for the Government of Liberia
The FAO ECTAD has been providing support for anti-rabies vaccinations and other necessary inputs to the Liberian government through the Ministry of Agriculture for the management of rabies over the past years. This support facilitated the MOA in establishing two permanent vaccination centers in Liberia. FAO has also enhanced surveillance and diagnostic capacities within the MOA Veterinary Services by offering staff training, laboratory consumables, kits, and equipment for sampling and testing rabies and other animal diseases.
This year, FAO provided technical support for the review and validation of the National Rabies Control Strategy and Action Plan within the One Health context in collaboration with the MOA, MOH, and One Health partners. The plan serves as a guide for the systematic reduction of rabies through sustained mass dog vaccinations, pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, and public education based on the SARE.
Furthermore, FAO’s ongoing support includes procuring 5000 vaccine doses and necessary consumables to facilitate year-round continuous vaccination at the permanent dog vaccination sites.
The observance engagement reminded all participants that the battle against rabies must be conducted in a sustainable manner to ensure that the number of dog-mediated rabies fatalities is reduced to zero by 2030.