January 1, 2025Open Access

A global call to action: Strengthening rabies control efforts

KAKrishna Prasad AcharyaNew Mexico State University FBFrancesco BrandaInternational Organization for Migration SPSarita PhuyalGovernment of Nepal

Key Points

Rabies kills around 59,000 people annually, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced control efforts in rabies-endemic countries.
Despite progress, 150 countries remain endemic for rabies, indicating a substantial gap in vaccination and control measures.
The call for urgent action involves collaboration among organizations like WHO, FAO, and GARC to tackle rabies effectively.
Achieving the goal of 'Zero by 30' is critical, yet current strategies must be reassessed to overcome existing challenges.

Abstract

Rabies is a zoonotic disease caused by the lyssavirus. Although it is preventable through vaccination, it kills around 59,000 humans and thousands of animals globally each year (Hampson et al., 2015; WHO, 2018). Rabies is not only an animal health issue but also a significant public health concern because of its high fatality rate and economic impact. As a result, rabies control efforts have been prioritized globally, with policies directed toward eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030. Leading organizations such as the WHO, WOAH, FAO, and GARC are working towards rabies control and have made some progress. Despite these efforts, several hurdles remain, and still around 150 rabies-endemic countries have yet to make significant progress. The goal of “Zero by 30” remains elusive and represents a missed opportunity. Urgent actions and new approaches are necessary to achieve this goal.

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