Rabies Control and Elimination

​The Call for Action

Rabies is the most widespread endemic disease in Africa, causing at least 25, 000 human deaths annually in Africa, with 90% canine-related cases. Rural areas account for 80% of cases. Until now, rabies elimination efforts have been fragmented across sectors and regions. In 2015, the world called for action by setting a global goal of zero human dog-mediated rabies deaths by 2030, worldwide. Rabies also kills huge numbers of livestock animals at great cost to farming and pastoral communities.

 

Our Response

Supporting the Global Goal that aligns with the End Rabies Now campaign launched in 2015 by WHO, FAO, WOAH, and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control, that aims to eliminate human rabies deaths by 2030.

Contributing to the United Against Rabies Forum; an initiative supported by the FAO, WOAH, and WHO (the Tripartite). The forum adopts a One Health approach, fostering multi-sectoral collaboration among governments, vaccine producers, researchers, NGOs, and development partners. This inclusive approach enables coordinated efforts to eliminate rabies across Africa, aligning with the broader goal of global rabies elimination by 2030. AU-IBAR’s involvement ensures that African nations have the support needed to tackle rabies through integrated health, environmental, and animal welfare strategies.

Advancing Rabies Preparedness, we have:

  • Conducted a study to evaluate Africa's readiness to achieve the End Rabies Now campaign aspirations.
  • Identified gaps and opportunities to strengthen efforts for rabies elimination.

Continental Rabies Elimination Strategy

  • Findings from the preparedness study will inform the development of a cohesive continental strategy.
  • The strategy will guide national and regional efforts toward rabies elimination by 2030.


Advancing Animal Welfare and One Health

Following the 2019 African Animal Welfare Conference, we led efforts that resulted in the UNEA Resolution on Animal Welfare, the Environment, and Sustainable Development, adopted in March 2022. This milestone, achieved with partner support, strengthens the One Health Approach to address challenges at the human-animal-environment interface, such as rabies.

The resolution promotes collaboration to improve animal welfare, tackle zoonotic diseases, and advance sustainable development across Africa.

Continued Commitment to Rabies Elimination

We are committed to working with Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to support the development and implementation of their national and regional Rabies Elimination Strategic Plans. This ongoing partnership demonstrates AU-IBAR's dedication to achieving the global goal of eliminating rabies by 2030. Over the years, we have provided essential tools and guidance to African Union Member States for developing and implementing sustainable national rabies elimination plans.

Some examples of our support towards rabies elimination include:

  • Guinea Conakry (2012): Supported the establishment of a rabies elimination strategic plan.
  • Kenya (2015): Assisted in developing the country's National Rabies Elimination Strategy.
  • Côte d’Ivoire (2016): Provided technical guidance to formulate its rabies control and elimination plan.
  • RAHC-ECOWAS (2020): Collaborated with the Regional Animal Health Centre (RAHC) under ECOWAS to enhance regional efforts in rabies control and elimination.
  • Nigeria (2022): Partnered with to strengthen the country’s rabies elimination framework in September 2022.

More Information