Exploring Global Strategies to Combat Rabies: Addressing Limitations and Enhancing Effectiveness.

Abstract

Rabies is a fatal viral disease affecting the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals including humans; rabies remains a significant global health threat, with over 99% of human cases transmitted through, resulting in approximately 55,000 deaths annually, mainly in Africa and Asia. Rabies manifests in two forms: one characterized by agitation and hydrophobia, and the other, paralytic, marked by muscle weakness and paralysis. The article stresses on the effectiveness of control strategies, including the One Health approach, mass dog vaccination and oral vaccination in line with the 'Zero by 30' initiative, which seeks to eliminate dog-mediated rabies deaths by 2030. However, enforcement, access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), poor dog population management and weak surveillance continue to impede progress, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Strengthening collaboration across policymakers, health professionals, public health sectors and environmental health sectors is crucial to reducing the rabies burden and achieving global health objectives. This article aims to explore the global strategies and challenges in controlling and preventing rabies.