Rabies control: a model for One Health collaboration

The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), called the Quadripartite Alliance (QPT), together with national stakeholders in the Russian Federation work together within the One health approach to raise awareness of the global and national efforts to eliminate Rabies and support a comprehensive global strategy Zero by 30: The Global Strategic Plan to end human death from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 (Global Strategic Plan for the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030).

World Rabies Day is the major event in the global Rabies calendar and has been marked annually on September 28 – the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur – since 2007.

Rabies is still registered in more than 150 countries and territories, with dog-mediated Rabies accounting for nearly 99% of human Rabies cases. Rabies affects not only people, but also livestock, and losses from infection of farm animals are estimated at almost $500 million a year.

Dr Budimir Plavsic, WOAH Regional Representative, in his welcoming speech recalled that in the joint statement released on 23 April 2021, FAO, WOAH, WHO, and UNEP committed to strengthening cross-sectoral coordination and efforts to combat health threats in European and Central Asian countries. Rabies is a priority disease in the Region, and QPT partners continue encouraging Member Countries to develop national programmes to eradicate dog-mediated rabies and ensure multi-sectoral approach in their countries.

WOAH and WHO have elaborated recommendations how to prevent, monitor, vaccinate and apply post-exposure treatment in humans and animals. Dr Melita Vujnovic, WHO Representative to the Russian Federation, stressed that Rabies prevention through vaccination and prudent human behaviour are key components of the eradication programmes. It is easier to prevent rabies than treat people and animals. Once rabies symptoms appear there is practically no chance to save lives. To implement rabies eradication programmes, it is important Governments to allocate enough financial support.

Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, Oleg Kobiakov, underlined that rural communities tend to be hit hardest by this preventable disease. Rabies not only threatens human health and well-being, but also the health of domestic and farm animals, which may be main or only source of livelihood. FAO is supporting vaccination campaigns and the development of community-based rabies prevention and eradication programs in many countries. Oleg Kobiakov stressed One Health partners have a real opportunity to strengthen collaboration in the region, particularly to improve animal health and surveillance systems. Working together to eliminate rabies will be an excellent way to make these ideas a reality.

UNEP Representative in Russia, Vladimir Moshkalo, said that World Rabies Day aims to be inclusive, bringing together people, organizations, and stakeholders across all sectors of Rabies control - because together we can eradicate Rabies! With this concept of inclusivity, cohesion and unity in mind, the theme of this year's World Rabies Day is: Rabies: All for 1, One health for all. He highlighted the role of wild animals in ecosystems’ balance, including control of rodent and insect populations which are reservoirs and vectors of many zoonoses. The intensification of agriculture resulted, as an example, in 250-fold increase in meat production, climate change and biodiversity decrease need to be addressed in national and global programmes. Vladimir Moshkalo stressed that Nature protection is the most vulnerable part of the programmes. UNEP provides valuable perspectives at the interface between science and policy. Through environmental science and investing in nature, we can reduce the risks associated with zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and other issues at the human-animal-environmental health interface.

Dr Olga Skudareva, Head of the Department of Biological Safety and Sanitary Protection of the Territory Directorate for Epidemiological Well-Being of Rospotrebnadzor informed about national initiatives including new legislation that improve dog welfare and prevent rabies spread.

Other participants contributed with information about FAO, WHO and WOAH activity and strategical approach to support anti-Rabies initiatives.