Cleaveland, S. and Hampson, K. (2017) Rabies elimination research: juxtaposing optimism, pragmatism and realism. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B: Biological Sciences, 284(1869), 20171880. (doi: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1880) (PMID:29263285) (PMCID:PMC5745407)
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Abstract
More than 100 years of research has now been conducted into the prevention, control and elimination of rabies with safe and highly efficacious vaccines developed for use in human and animal populations. Domestic dogs are a major reservoir for rabies, and although considerable advances have been made towards the elimination and control of canine rabies in many parts of the world, the disease continues to kill tens of thousands of people every year in Africa and Asia. Policy efforts are now being directed towards a global target of zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 and the global elimination of canine rabies. Here we demonstrate how research provides a cause for optimism as to the feasibility of these goals through strategies based around mass dog vaccination. We summarize some of the pragmatic insights generated from rabies epidemiology and dog ecology research that can improve the design of dog vaccination strategies in low- and middle-income countries and which should encourage implementation without further delay. We also highlight the need for realism in reaching the feasible, although technically more difficult and longer-term goal of global elimination of canine rabies. Finally, we discuss how research on rabies has broader relevance to the control and elimination of a suite of diseases of current concern to human and animal health, providing an exemplar of the value of a ‘One Health’ approach.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Hampson, Professor Katie and Cleaveland, Professor Sarah |
| Authors: | Cleaveland, S., and Hampson, K. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine |
| Journal Name: | Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B: Biological Sciences |
| Publisher: | The Royal Society |
| ISSN: | 0962-8452 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1471-2954 |
| Published Online: | 20 December 2017 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2017 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B: Biological Sciences 284(1869):20171880 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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