Rabies in Tanzania

This article is about the social and economic effects of rabies disease in Tanzania.

Context

Rabies is a fatal, preventable zoonosis that infects the central nervous system of mammals, caused by the lyssavirus.[1] It is endemic in low income countries, causing an estimated 55,000 human deaths each year with over 98% of these deaths following bites from rabid dogs.[2] It is a dangerous disease, if it is not effectively controlled. Many of the developing world arguing that the efforts for control is hampered by lack of awareness of its true impact.

Socio-economic effects

Research conducted in Tanzania estimated human rabies mortality at 1499 deaths per year, including unreported cases. There were only 193 reported cases, or 12% of the true number of people dying of rabies annually.[3]

Rabies takes an economic toll on Tanzania; costs due to rabies include medical expenses, control of infected dogs, and safety inspections in local communities. Rabies medication is also very expensive for the average Tanzanian.[4]

Prevention schemes

There have been some efforts to control rabies through vaccination of the disease sources, which include dogs and other wildlife.[5] A study done in two districts of Ngorongoro and Serengeti studied the spread pattern of rabies where wildlife plays a role in disease transmission. Findings indicated that an annual dog vaccination campaign, achieving the WHO-recommended target of 70% coverage, would have a high chance of controlling rabies in Ngorongoro and Serengeti.

References

  1. ↑ US National Library of Medicine; National Institute of Health website,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3322764/
  2. ↑ Sambo, M., Cleaveland, S., Ferguson, H., Lembo, T., Simon, C., Urassa, H., & Hampson, K. (2013)
  3. ↑ Cleaveland, S., Fe, E. M., Kaare, M., & Coleman, P. G. (2002). Estimating human rabies mortality in the United Republic of Tanzania from dog bite injuries. Sci ELO, Public Health, 80(1).
  4. ↑ Knobel, D. L., Cleaveland, S., Coleman, P. G., Fèvre, E. M., Meltzer, M. I., Miranda, M. E. G., … Meslin, F. (2005). Re-evaluating the burden of rabies in Africa and Asia. Sci ELO, Public Health, 8862(3).
  5. ↑ Fitzpatrick, M. C., Hampson, K., Cleaveland, S., Meyers, L. A., Townsend, J. P., & Galvani, A. P. (2012). Potential for Rabies Control through Dog Vaccination in Wildlife-Abundant Communities of Tanzania, 6(8), 6–11. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001796
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