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

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 Komba, Robinson Mdegela, Justine A. Assenga, Jubilate Bernard, Walter Marandu, James Warioba, Zacharia Makondo, Jelly Chang’a, Furaha Mramba, Hezron Nonga, Japhet Killewo, Fred Kafeero, Yilma J. Makonnen, Ariel L. Rivas and Folorunso O. Fasina
Additional contact information
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
Hussein Mohamed: Department of Developmental Studies, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 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
Athuman M. Lupindu: One Health Central and Eastern Africa, Dar es Salaam 11103, Tanzania
Erick Komba: One Health Central and Eastern Africa, Dar es Salaam 11103, Tanzania
Robinson Mdegela: One Health Central and Eastern Africa, Dar es Salaam 11103, Tanzania
Justine A. Assenga: Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dodoma 41000, Tanzania
Jubilate Bernard: One Health Coordination Desk, Prime Minister’s Office, 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
Japhet Killewo: Department of Developmental Studies, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 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

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-14

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.

Keywords: human-animal interaction; One Health; rural community; rabies; wildlife; zoonosis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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