Rabies prevention needs stronger One Health action across Africa

AFRICA – Rabies remains a preventable but deadly disease, with stronger coordination between animal and human health systems needed to support efforts to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.

Marking World Rabies Day, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) has highlighted the importance of a One Health approach to rabies prevention, including dog vaccination, disease surveillance, rapid response, and collaboration between veterinary and human health services.

Through its One Health Research, Education and Outreach Centre in Africa (OHRECA), ILRI supports activities including mass dog vaccination campaigns in Kenya, integrated surveillance and training for healthcare and veterinary workers.

Research published by ILRI researchers in Frontiers in June 2025 also illustrates some of the challenges facing rabies surveillance in Kenya. 

The researchers analysed national human and animal rabies surveillance data from 2017 to 2023, including reported dog bites, rabies cases and deaths in dogs and humans.

The data recorded an average of 162 rabies cases and 84 deaths in dogs each year, compared with 53 cases and six deaths in humans.

While the surveillance system effectively captured trends in dog rabies, the study identified gaps in reporting human rabies cases. 

The researchers noted that the weak relationship between reported human rabies cases and dog bites, together with a negative correlation between dog and human rabies cases, could indicate underreporting of human cases.

The findings highlight the importance of connecting animal and human health surveillance systems to improve understanding of where rabies is occurring and where prevention efforts are needed.

Protecting people, livestock and pets

Rabies is also a concern for farmers and livestock owners, particularly where domestic animals interact with infected wildlife.

Speaking to Food For Mzansi for World Rabies Day, Dr Didi Claassen, a South African Veterinary Association representative, veterinary pathologist and agribusiness executive, said domestic dogs remain the most important source of rabies transmission to humans, while wildlife can also expose livestock and other domestic animals.

“Jackals, mongooses, etc. can bite and infect cattle, sheep, goats, horses, dogs and cats,” Claassen said.

She advised farmers to avoid handling animals suspected of having rabies and instead notify the state veterinarian and relevant authorities. 

Infected animals can behave unpredictably, creating a risk to people and other animals.

Vaccination remains one of the main tools for prevention. Claassen noted that rabies vaccination is legally required for dogs and cats in South Africa, while livestock vaccination can also be considered in high-risk areas where rabies in cattle is associated with wildlife encounters.

The One Health approach connects these different areas of prevention. 

Pet and livestock owners, veterinarians, medical professionals, public health authorities, and communities all have roles to play in vaccination, surveillance, risk assessment, and timely post-exposure treatment.

World Rabies Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of these measures and the role that coordinated action can play in preventing infections. 

With rabies almost entirely preventable through vaccination, responsible animal management, and timely intervention after exposure, strengthening links between animal and human health remains central to the 2030 elimination goal.

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