scholarly journals Challenges to the Fight against Rabies—The Landscape of Policy and Prevention Strategies in Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1736
Author(s):  
Andrea Haekyung Haselbeck ◽  
Sylvie Rietmann ◽  
Birkneh Tilahun Tadesse ◽  
Kerstin Kling ◽  
Maria Elena Kaschubat-Dieudonné ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Prevention Strategy ◽  
Human Rabies ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Rabies Control ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
And Control

Nearly 59,000 human deaths worldwide are attributable to rabies annually, of which more than a third occur in Africa. In recent years, progress has been made in both action and collaboration including implementation of surveillance and prevention measures. In this review we assess the scale of surveillance, preventive, and control efforts of canine-transmitted human rabies in African countries. We reviewed literature published from 2014 to 2018, retrieved from electronic databases including MEDLINE, Global Index Medicus, BIOSIS, Science Citation Index, and EMBASE. WHO reports, national disease control program reports, and conference proceedings were also reviewed. The database search was conducted using keywords including rabies, control, and prevention. In forty countries (40/54), some level of rabies control and prevention strategy was available while in fourteen (14/54) countries, no specific national control and prevention strategy for human rabies could be retrieved. Thirty-four (34/54) countries utilized the Stepwise Approach towards Rabies Elimination (SARE) tool to monitor the national rabies control efforts—five of these countries were at the lowest tier (0/5) of the SARE scoring system while no country had achieved the highest score (5/5). High burden countries need to step up the implementation of context specific national rabies control, prevention, and monitoring strategies. As a zoonosis, rabies control and elimination require coordination between human and veterinarian health sectors under the “One Health” umbrella and with national master plans on the prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases ending in 2020, the time to act is now.

scholarly journals Rabies mortality and morbidity associated with animal bites in Africa: A case for Integrated Rabies Diseases Surveillance, Prevention and Control - A Scoping review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Nyasulu ◽  
Jacqueline Weyer ◽  
Rea Tschopp ◽  
Adane Mihret ◽  
Abraham Aseffa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Rabies ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Rabies Control ◽  
And Control

Background: Rabies a neglected tropical disease, mostly affecting poor and vulnerable populations living in remote rural areas in developing countries. The disease continues to pose a significant public health a threat with an estimated 59,000 dog-transmitted human deaths, of which an estimated 21,476 human deaths occur in Africa each year. The global strategy has been set by the quartite World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), aiming for "zero human deaths associated with dog transmitted rabies by 2030". African countries, however, face several challenges and there are still gaps in controlling rabies. The aim of this study review is to determine rabies prevalence, mortality and associated risk factors in both human population and animal population and to evaluate the presence or absence of integrated one health surveillance response in African nations. Methods and analysis: We will conduct an electronic literature searches on PubMed, CINAHL, (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Scopus, and Web of Science and other relevant databases. Reference lists from identified published articles or reviews and conference abstracts will also be searched for relevant articles. Published and unpublished literatures (grey) will be included in the search. The findings will be presented graphically in terms of mortality, morbidity, interventions for rabies control in Africa, research gaps identified, available research evidence, rabies surveillance, prevention and control and adverse events. Conclusion: This review will contribute to the coordination of interventions for surveillance, prevention, and control with African countries as country-based gaps and challenges and opportunities will be highlighted. In addition, the scaling up of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP rabies will be evaluated in African countries and the projection to achieve the target of "zero deaths of human rabies by 2030" in Africa.

scholarly journals Rabies Mortality and Morbidity Associated with Animal Bites in Africa: A Case for Integrated Rabies Diseases Surveillance, Prevention and Control - A Scoping Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Nyasulu ◽  
Jacqueline Weyer ◽  
Rea Tschopp ◽  
Adane Mihret ◽  
Samuel Victor Nuvor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Rabies ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Rabies Control ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Rabies a neglected tropical disease, mostly affecting poor and vulnerable populations living in remote rural areas in developing countries. The disease continues to pose a significant public health a threat with an estimated 59,000 dog-transmitted human deaths, of which an estimated 21,476 human deaths occur in Africa each year. The global strategy has been set by the quartite World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), aiming for "zero human deaths associated with dog transmitted rabies by 2030". African countries, however, face several challenges and there are still gaps in controlling rabies. The aim of this study review is to determine rabies prevalence, mortality and associated risk factors in both human population and animal population and to evaluate the presence or absence of integrated one health surveillance response in African nations.Methods and analysis: We will conduct an electronic literature searches on PubMed, CINAHL, (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Scopus, and Web of Science and other relevant databases. Reference lists from identified published articles or reviews and conference abstracts will also be searched for relevant articles. Published and unpublished literatures (grey) will be included in the search. The findings will be presented graphically in terms of mortality, morbidity, interventions for rabies control in Africa, research gaps identified, available research evidence, rabies surveillance, prevention and control and adverse events.Conclusion: This review will contribute to the coordination of interventions for surveillance, prevention, and control with African countries as country-based gaps and challenges and opportunities will be highlighted. In addition, the scaling up of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP rabies will be evaluated in African countries and the projection to achieve the target of "zero deaths of human rabies by 2030" in Africa.

scholarly journals Exploring the mechanisms of collaboration between the Tuberculosis and Diabetes Programs for the control of TB-DM Comorbidity in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Suhuyini Salifu ◽  
Khumbulani W. Hlongwana
Keyword(s):  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Local Health ◽  
National Tuberculosis Control Program ◽  
National Tuberculosis ◽  
Local Health Facility ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
And Control ◽  
Non Communicable Disease

Abstract Objectives To explore the mechanisms of collaboration between the stakeholders, including National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP) and the Non-Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Program (NCDCP) at the national, regional, and local (health facility) levels of the health care system in Ghana. This is one of the objectives in a study on the “Barriers and Facilitators to the Implementation of the Collaborative Framework for the Care and Control of Tuberculosis and Diabetes in Ghana” Results The data analysis revealed 4 key themes. These were (1) Increased support for communicable diseases (CDs) compared to stagnant support for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), (2) Donor support, (3) Poor collaboration between NTP and NCDCP, and (4) Low Tuberculosis-Diabetes Mellitus (TB-DM) case detection.

scholarly journals Seeking Research Questions from Implementers: Considerations for Leveraging Ground Actors Research Needs in the Fight against Malaria in West Africa.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tete Sitou Amouh ◽  
Saidou Malam Ekoye ◽  
Césaire Damien Ahanhanzo ◽  
Tinga Robert Guiguemdé ◽  
Issiaka Sombié
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
World Bank ◽  
Malaria Control ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Malaria Control Program ◽  
Research Questions

Abstract In Sahel countries in West Africa malaria remains a public health scourge. To strengthen the fight against malaria, weaknesses, and solutions must be identified before programs implementation. This study reports experiences gained from collaborations between decision-makers and researchers. This project was undertaken in the framework of the regional World Bank funded project titled: Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Sahel (SM/NTD). The objectives of this World Bank program are to identifying bottlenecks in program implementation as well as the related research questions they enticed. National malaria control program managers and prioritization workshops were used as working method to identify research questions. These identified priority research questions were implemented in selected countries. The results of this study showed that priority issues were related to prevention, governance, drugs, monitoring, and evaluation of programs. The first five priority questions were related to (1) factors of compliance with drug doses for the second and third days during the seasonal chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns, (2) the contribution of community-based distributors to the management of severe cases of malaria in under 5 years-old children, (3) the SMC efficacy, (4) artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs) tolerance and efficacy according to existing guidelines, and (5) the quality of malaria control at all levels of the health system. In conclusion, this work showed the effectiveness of collaboration between implementers, programs managers, and researchers in identifying research questions. Furthermore, the results of this study will contribute to improve the implementation of malaria control programs across African countries.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Buruli Ulcer Disease Surveillance System in the Ga West Municipality, Ghana, 2011–2015

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanko Rufai ◽  
Enoch Aninagyei ◽  
Samuel Oko Sackey ◽  
Ernest Kenu ◽  
Edwin Andrew Afari
Keyword(s):  
Surveillance System ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Buruli Ulcer ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Mycobacterium Ulcerans ◽  
Ulcer Disease ◽  
Disease Surveillance System ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Control And Prevention

Background. Buruli ulcer (BU) is one of the most neglected tropical diseases caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. M. ulcerans infection may manifest initially as a pre-ulcerative nodule, a plaque, or oedema which breaks down to form characteristic ulcers with undermined edges. The Ga West Municipality is an endemic area for Buruli ulcer, and we evaluated the BU surveillance system to determine whether the system is meeting its objectives and to assess its attributes. Materials and Methods. We used a checklist based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated surveillance evaluation guidelines, 2006. We reviewed records and dataset on Buruli ulcer for the period 2011–2015. The evaluation was carried out at the national, regional, district, and community levels using the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region as a study site. Interviews with key stakeholders at the various levels were done using an interview guide, and observations were done with a checklist. Data were entered and analyzed using Epi info 7. Results. A total of 594 cases of Buruli ulcer were reported from 2011 to 2015 in Ga West. The number of confirmed cases decreased from 109 in 2011 to 17 in 2015. The system was useful, fairly simple, flexible, representative, and fairly acceptable. The system was sensitive with a PVP of 45.3%. Although the data quality was good with 85% of case report forms completed, there was under-reporting (3.6%), some discrepancies of data at the district, regional, and national levels. The system was moderately stable, and timeliness of reporting was 30.7%. Conclusion. The Buruli ulcer surveillance system is meeting its set objectives, and the data generated are used to reliably describe the epidemiologic situation and evaluate the results for actions and plan future interventions. There is a need for timely submission of data. We recommend that the National Buruli Ulcer Control Program (NBUCP) provides logistical support to treatment centres.

scholarly journals Fighting Dog-Mediated Rabies in Namibia—Implementation of a Rabies Elimination Program in the Northern Communal Areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Rauna Athingo ◽  
Tenzin Tenzin ◽  
Albertina Shilongo ◽  
Emmanuel Hikufe ◽  
Kenneth K. Shoombe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Project ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Human Rabies ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The Past ◽  
Rabies Control ◽  
Health Concept ◽  
Global Goal ◽  
Communal Areas ◽  
The One

The major part of the global burden of dog-mediated rabies falls on Africa and Asia, where still an estimated 60,000 people die of the disease annually. Like in many African countries, dog-mediated rabies is a major public health concern in Namibia, costing the country an estimated 242 human deaths during the past two decades, in particular in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs). Consequently, under the “One Health” concept, the Namibian government adopted a National Rabies Control Strategy in 2015, which strives to contribute to the global goal of ending dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030. A key component of this strategy was the implementation a dog rabies elimination program in the NCAs in 2016, being designed as a stepwise regional rollout strategy by building on experience gained in a pilot project area. The area of implementation covers approximately 263,376 km2 and 64 constituencies, with around 1.2 million inhabitants and estimated 93,000 dogs.

scholarly journals Human exposure to rabies in Yemen: Incidence, trend, and mortality 2011-2017 (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rihana Abdulmoghni ◽  
Ahmed Alward ◽  
Khaled Almoayed ◽  
Mohammed Abdullah AL-Amad ◽  
Yousef Khader
Keyword(s):  
Control Unit ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Electronic System ◽  
Annual Incidence ◽  
Human Rabies ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
Rabies Control ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Rabid Animal

BACKGROUND Rabies remains a neglected disease and poorly controlled throughout the developing world, particularly Africa and Asia, where most human rabies deaths occur. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of rabies, its trend, and its geographical distribution in Yemen METHODS Cumulative data from Rabies surveillance system for the period 2011 to 2017 was obtained from the National Rabies Control Program. The data included the number of persons bitten by a suspected animal, their gender and age, and the result of animal’s lab-test. Cases were defined as human victims bitten or injured by animals confirmed to be infected with rabies and received post exposure prophylaxis at any rabies control unit during 2011-2017 RESULTS During the period 2011-2017, a total of 76049 persons were bitten or injured by a suspected rabid animal. Of those, 21,927 (29%) were exposed to positively confirmed rabid animal and had PEP. Of all cases 68% were males and 32% were females. About 15% of cases were under five years, 41% aged 5-14 years, 28% aged 15-40 years, and 16% aged > 40 years. One third (36.8%) of reported cases were from Amanat Al Asimah followed by 32% from Ibb governorates, 12% from Dhamar, 8% from Al Hudaydah, 5% from Taizz, and 4% from Amran. The annual mean number of the cases exposed to positively confirmed rabid animal and had PEP was 3132. The annual incidence rate of exposure to positively confirmed rabid animal was 14 per 100,000 population. The annual mean number of deaths was 42 and the annual mean mortality rate was 2 per 1000,000 populations. CONCLUSIONS Rabies is still a worrying health problem in Yemen with a higher percentage among children and males. The annual incidence of exposure was 14 per 100,000 population. An electronic system should be introduced to improve reporting. It is important to have sufficient supply of vaccines and immunoglobulins in control units especially in the affected governorates. Education, communication and information campaigns about preventive measures targeting school-age populations are strongly recommended. Moreover, vaccination campaigns in the canine population to avoid animal-to-human transmission is necessary.

scholarly journals Seeking Research Questions from Implementers: Considerations for Leveraging Ground Actors Research Needs in the Fight against Malaria in West Africa.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tete Sitou Amouh ◽  
Saidou Malam Ekoye ◽  
Césaire Damien Ahanhanzo ◽  
Tinga Robert Guiguemdé ◽  
Issiaka Sombié
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
World Bank ◽  
Malaria Control ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Malaria Control Program ◽  
Research Questions

Abstract In the Sahel countries of West Africa, malaria remains a public health scourge. To strengthen the fight against malaria, it is imperative to identify weaknesses and possible solutions before programs implementation. This study reports experiences gained from collaboration between decision-makers and researchers from a project undertaken by the World Bank, titled: Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Sahel (SM/NTD). The objectives of this World Bank project were to identify bottlenecks in malaria program implementation as well as related research questions they bring up. Questionnaire addressed to National Malaria Control Program managers and prioritization workshops were used as a medium to identify research questions. Identified research questions were implemented in selected countries and the results, as presented in this study showed that priority issues were those related to prevention, governance, drugs, monitoring and evaluation. The first five priority questions were: (1) compliance with drug doses on the second and third days during the seasonal chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns, (2) the contribution of community-based distributors to the management of severe cases of malaria in children under 5 years, (3) the SMC efficacy, (4) artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs) tolerance and efficacy according to existing guidelines, and (5) the quality of malaria control at all levels of the health system. In conclusion, this work showed the effectiveness of collaboration between implementers, programs managers, and researchers in identifying research questions. Furthermore, the results of this study will contribute to improving the implementation of malaria control programs across African countries.

scholarly journals Pestivirus K (Atypical Porcine Pestivirus): Update on the Virus, Viral Infection, and the Association with Congenital Tremor in Newborn Piglets

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alais M. Dall Agnol ◽  
Alice F. Alfieri ◽  
Amauri A. Alfieri
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Viral Infection ◽  
Type A ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Pig Production ◽  
Newborn Piglets ◽  
The Family ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
And Control ◽  
Congenital Tremor

The atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) belongs to the species Pestivirus K of the genus Pestivirus and the family Flaviviridae, and it has been associated with congenital tremor (CT) type A-II in newborn piglets. Although APPV was discovered in 2015, evidence shows that APPV has circulated in pig herds for many years, at least since 1986. Due to the frequently reported outbreaks of CT on different continents, the importance of this virus for global pig production is notable. Since 2015, several studies have been conducted to clarify the association between APPV and CT. However, some findings regarding APPV infection and the measures taken to control and prevent the spread of this virus need to be contextualized to understand the infection better. This review attempts to highlight advances in the understanding of APPV associated with type A-II CT, such as etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and control and prevention measures, and also describes the pathophysiology of the infection and its consequences for pig production. Further research still needs to be conducted to elucidate the host’s immune response to APPV infection, the control and prevention of this infection, and the possible development of vaccines.

Acinetobacter Outbreaks, 1977–2000

2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 284-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Virginia Villegas ◽  
Alan I. Hartstein
Keyword(s):  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Patient Exposure ◽  
Environmental Survival ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Multiple Drugs ◽  
Aggressive Interventions ◽  
And Control

AbstractThis review of Acinetobacter outbreaks summarizes factors related to the presence and recognition of organism transmission and describes the implementation of control and prevention measures directed at limiting spread. Exogenous transmission of Acinetobacter should be considered when infections are endemic and when case rates increase. Increasing or new antimicrobial resistances in a collection of isolates also suggest transmission, and transmission can be definitively confirmed when isolates are found to be indistinguishable from or related to one another by a discriminatory genotyping test. An investigation for a common source should be conducted. When a common source cannot be found and eliminated, or once an endemically transmitted organism is established, containment or prevention efforts may require aggressive interventions, complex interventions, or both. Colonization at multiple sites, the relative ease of induction of antibiotic resistance in the organism following patient exposure to multiple drugs, and long-term environmental survival provide enhanced opportunities for the transmission of Acinetobacter between and among patients. New approaches and interventional trials are needed to define effective measures for the prevention and control of Acinetobacter infections.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document