Mission Rabies

Mission Rabies is a global initiative aimed at eradicating rabies, a deadly disease primarily transmitted through the bites of infected dogs. The project was launched in 2013 by the UK-based charity, Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS), with the goal of eliminating rabies deaths by 2030.

Overview

Mission Rabies operates in several countries, including India, Malawi, Uganda, and Sri Lanka, where the incidence of rabies is high. The initiative focuses on three main areas: mass vaccination of dogs, education, and surveillance.

Mass Vaccination

The primary strategy of Mission Rabies is the mass vaccination of dogs, as over 99% of human rabies cases are caused by dog bites. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends vaccinating at least 70% of the dog population to break the cycle of rabies transmission. Mission Rabies has vaccinated over a million dogs since its inception.

Education

Mission Rabies also emphasizes the importance of education in preventing rabies. The initiative has developed an interactive, child-friendly education program that teaches children about rabies prevention and dog bite avoidance. This program has been delivered to millions of children in rabies-endemic areas.

Surveillance

Surveillance is another crucial aspect of Mission Rabies' work. The initiative uses a smartphone app to collect data on dog populations, vaccination coverage, and human rabies exposures. This data is used to monitor the progress of the project and to guide future interventions.

Impact

Since its launch, Mission Rabies has made significant strides in the fight against rabies. The initiative has vaccinated over a million dogs, educated millions of children, and contributed to a reduction in human rabies deaths in the areas where it operates.

See Also

• Rabies
• Worldwide Veterinary Service
• World Health Organization