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Ecological and Epidemiological Findings Associated with Zoonotic Rabies Outbreaks and Control in Moshi, Tanzania, 2017–2018

Author

Listed:
  • Niwael Mtui-Malamsha

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Dar es Salaam 14111, Tanzania)

  • Raphael Sallu

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Dar es Salaam 14111, Tanzania)

  • Gladys R. Mahiti

    (Department of Developmental Studies, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam 11103, Tanzania
    One Health Central and Eastern Africa, Dar es Salaam 11103, Tanzania)

  • Hussein Mohamed

    (Department of Developmental Studies, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam 11103, Tanzania
    One Health Central and Eastern Africa, Dar es Salaam 11103, Tanzania)

  • Moses OleNeselle

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Dar es Salaam 14111, Tanzania)

  • Bachana Rubegwa

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Dar es Salaam 14111, Tanzania)

  • Emmanuel S. Swai

    (Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dodoma 41000, Tanzania)

  • Selemani Makungu

    (Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dodoma 41000, Tanzania)

  • Edward G. Otieno

    (One Health Central and Eastern Africa, Dar es Salaam 11103, Tanzania
    College of Veterinary Medeicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro 67000, Tanzania)

  • Athuman M. Lupindu

    (One Health Central and Eastern Africa, Dar es Salaam 11103, Tanzania
    College of Veterinary Medeicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro 67000, Tanzania)

  • Erick Komba

    (One Health Central and Eastern Africa, Dar es Salaam 11103, Tanzania
    College of Veterinary Medeicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro 67000, Tanzania)

  • Robinson Mdegela

    (One Health Central and Eastern Africa, Dar es Salaam 11103, Tanzania
    College of Veterinary Medeicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro 67000, Tanzania)

  • Justine A. Assenga

    (Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dodoma 41000, Tanzania
    One Health Coordination Desk, Prime Minister’s Office, Dodoma 41000, Tanzania)

  • Jubilate Bernard

    (One Health Coordination Desk, Prime Minister’s Office, Dodoma 41000, Tanzania
    Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dodoma 41000, Tanzania)

  • Walter Marandu

    (District Veterinary Office, Moshi District 25101, Tanzania)

  • James Warioba

    (Zonal Veterinary Center, Arusha 23000, Tanzania)

  • Zacharia Makondo

    (Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency, Dar es Salaam 15101, Tanzania)

  • Jelly Chang’a

    (Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency, Dar es Salaam 15101, Tanzania)

  • Furaha Mramba

    (Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency, Dar es Salaam 15101, Tanzania)

  • Hezron Nonga

    (Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dodoma 41000, Tanzania
    College of Veterinary Medeicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro 67000, Tanzania)

  • Japhet Killewo

    (Department of Developmental Studies, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam 11103, Tanzania
    One Health Central and Eastern Africa, Dar es Salaam 11103, Tanzania)

  • Fred Kafeero

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Dar es Salaam 14111, Tanzania)

  • Yilma J. Makonnen

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 00153 Rome, Italy)

  • Ariel L. Rivas

    (Center for Global Health, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA)

  • Folorunso O. Fasina

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Dar es Salaam 14111, Tanzania
    Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa)

Abstract

Approximately 1500 people die annually due to rabies in the United Republic of Tanzania. Moshi, in the Kilimanjaro Region, reported sporadic cases of human rabies between 2017 and 2018. In response and following a One Health approach, we implemented surveillance, monitoring, as well as a mass vaccinations of domestic pets concurrently in >150 villages, achieving a 74.5% vaccination coverage ( n = 29, 885 dogs and cats) by September 2018. As of April 2019, no single human or animal case has been recorded. We have observed a disparity between awareness and knowledge levels of community members on rabies epidemiology. Self-adherence to protective rabies vaccination in animals was poor due to the challenges of costs and distances to vaccination centers, among others. Incidence of dog bites was high and only a fraction (65%) of dog bite victims (humans) received post-exposure prophylaxis. A high proportion of unvaccinated dogs and cats and the relative intense interactions with wild dog species at interfaces were the risk factors for seropositivity to rabies virus infection in dogs. A percentage of the previously vaccinated dogs remained unimmunized and some unvaccinated dogs were seropositive. Evidence of community engagement and multi-coordinated implementation of One Health in Moshi serves as an example of best practice in tackling zoonotic diseases using multi-level government efforts. The district-level establishment of the One Health rapid response team (OHRRT), implementation of a carefully structured routine vaccination campaign, improved health education, and the implementation of barriers between domestic animals and wildlife at the interfaces are necessary to reduce the burden of rabies in Moshi and communities with similar profiles.

Suggested Citation

  • Niwael Mtui-Malamsha & Raphael Sallu & Gladys R. Mahiti & Hussein Mohamed & Moses OleNeselle & Bachana Rubegwa & Emmanuel S. Swai & Selemani Makungu & Edward G. Otieno & Athuman M. Lupindu & Erick Kom, 2019. "Ecological and Epidemiological Findings Associated with Zoonotic Rabies Outbreaks and Control in Moshi, Tanzania, 2017–2018," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:16:p:2816-:d:255508
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rebekah H Borse & Charisma Y Atkins & Manoj Gambhir & Eduardo A Undurraga & Jesse D Blanton & Emily B Kahn & Jessie L Dyer & Charles E Rupprecht & Martin I Meltzer, 2018. "Cost-effectiveness of dog rabies vaccination programs in East Africa," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(5), pages 1-21, May.
    2. Maganga Sambo & Sarah Cleaveland & Heather Ferguson & Tiziana Lembo & Cleophas Simon & Honorati Urassa & Katie Hampson, 2013. "The Burden of Rabies in Tanzania and Its Impact on Local Communities," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(11), pages 1-9, November.
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