RABIES STATUS IN MALAWI

Transcription

1 RABIES STATUS IN MALAWI PRECIOUS M DZIMBIRI Presented at SEARG Meeting, Maputo, Mozambique January, 2011

2 Introduction Rabies is endemic throughout the country On average >90 cases are confirmed in animals each year (clinical and laboratory confirmed combined). The real incidence is probably much higher considering that a number of cases that are not reported It is estimated that for every case reported, there is at least one, unreported

3 Introduction cont d Between , a total of 1488 reported cases were confirmed as positive for rabies in dogs only out of suspected 1790 submitted specimens to the Regional and Central Veterinary Laboratories.

4 Laboratory confirmed rabies cases by animal species in Malawi ( ) Species Totals Dogs 22/32 16/25 27/34 65/91 Cattle 6/10 10/14 9/12 25/36 Goats 4/4 1/2 5/6 10/12 Rats 0/ /1 Cats 5/7 2/3 3/3 10/13 Rabbits 0/ /1 Pigs - 1/2 4/6 5/8 Sheep - - 2/2 2/2 Monkeys 0/3 1/1-1/4

5 Laboratory confirmed rabies cases by animal species in Malawi ( ) cont d Buffalos - 0/1-0/1 Hyenas 1/1 2/4 7/7 10/12 Jackals 1/1 1/1 6/6 8/8 Totals 39/62 34/53 63/76 136/185

6 Introduction cont d In humans, the low number of medical returns shows that there are about 10 human cases recorded each year. The real incidence of human rabies is also most likely high The clinical picture has several other differential diagnoses presenting nervous signs. What ever the true incidence of human rabies is, the painful fact remains that there is a lot of trauma and fear associated with dog bites in Malawi

7 Rabies in Animals-Malawi Domestic animals accounts for over 90% of the reported cases Dogs (85%) -main reservoir and major source of infection for humans Cattle (7%) Others-cats, sheep, goats. Hyenas and jackals are the commonly reported wildlife reservoirs

8 Rabies in Malawi-cont d Mainly through a bite of a rabid animal and/or contact with infected material (such as saliva) through skin abrasions. In Malawi every dog bite case is associated with rabies until ruled out by the veterinary authorities. Over the years, the number of dog bite cases reported has steadily been on the increase particularly in the urban and around peri-urban areas. About 20,000 dog bite cases were reported in the cities of Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Blantyre and Zomba township in the years A total of 602 dog bite cases were recorded in Blantyre urban/peri-urban alone in June/July 2005.

9 Rabies control in Malawi The main methods of control employed in Malawi include vaccinations and destruction of affected animals Shooting of stray dogs (during campaigns and tie-up order) In the past, the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development depended on regional rabies control teams to conduct annual dog vaccination campaigns and destruction of stray dogs These proved to be too costly (43% costs for personnel, 35% for transport costs and 21% for vaccines and ammunition) and achieved far below the recommended vaccination coverage (80% of dog populations) as they were not properly targeted.

10 Rabies control in Malawi-cont d Currently vaccinations are conducted by ADDs in collaboration with District Assemblies and NGOs (e.g. Blantyre ADD). In 2003, a total of were reported to have been vaccinated. in 2004 a total were vaccinated in the field.

11 Main Challenge!! The main constraint to control rabies still remains of logistics rather technical as it has been not possible to achieve the recommended 80% vaccination coverage in high-risk dog populations due to inadequate vaccine and information on dog ecology.

12 Way forward With most of cases occurring in dogs, which in turn infect man, the epidemiology of rabies in Malawi is such that with high vaccination coverage, we can achieve very close to eradicating the disease if properly targeted This requires concerted effort and commitment by all stakeholders (Both Public and Private) There is a need for enhanced government commitment in terms of support to the rabies control Programme.

13 Remember RABIES KILLS so Vaccinate Take care THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!