Abstract
Background: Domestic dogs transmit 99% of the estimated 59,000 human rabies deaths occurring globally annually. To achieve the global target of zero human deaths from rabies by 2030, effective mass dog vaccination campaigns that break rabies transmission cycles in dog populations are required. This study describes the design of a dog health and demographic surveillance study established within a human health and demographic surveillance study in Western Kenya. Using baseline data from the dog cohort study, we quantify demographic parameters and describe management practices relevant for rabies transmission. Methods: All dogs in 1213 households participating in a linked human and animal health syndromic surveillance study were recruited. Data on household demographics, dog ownership, dog age and sex ratios, reproductive indices, rabies vaccination, management practices, dog movement and health status were collected at least monthly. Results: 460 of 1213 (38%) of the study households owned dogs (mean 2 dogs/household), and 526 (70%) of those without dogs had owned dogs previously. 802 dogs were recruited into the study, more than half (52%) of those with known ages were ≤ 1 year old. The dog:human ratio in the study population was 1:7, the dog density 54 dogs/km2, and the female: male dog sex ratio was 1:1.3. Rabies vaccination was low (5% coverage), and only 48 (12%) male dogs and 13 (5%) female dogs were castrated and spayed, respectively. Dogs were predominantly local breed (99%), mainly kept for security purposes, almost always (97%) left to scavenge for leftovers and 61% roamed freely. Conclusion: Low vaccination coverage, unrestricted dog movement, and high dog population turnover with a large proportion of dogs below one-year-old support endemic rabies circulation in this population. These gaps present opportunities for the design of effective dog rabies control plans to break rabies transmission cycles in this part of Kenya.
Highlights
Rabies kills an estimated 59,000 people annually, mostly in Asia and Africa and among rural populations[1]
High dog population turnover leads to rapid declines in herd immunity between vaccination intervals as new susceptible dogs are introduced to the population and immunized dogs leave the population through death[5,7]
The linked human-animal health syndromic surveillance study is itself conducted within a Health Demographics and Surveillance system (HDSS) run by Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)[11]
Summary
Rabies kills an estimated 59,000 people annually, mostly in Asia and Africa and among rural populations[1]. Mass dog vaccination, reaching 70% of the dog population, is recommended as a cost-effective way to interrupt the transmission cycle and thereby eliminate human deaths due to dog-mediated rabies[5,6]. To achieve the global target of zero human deaths from rabies by 2030, effective mass dog vaccination campaigns that break rabies transmission cycles in dog populations are required. Conclusion: Low vaccination coverage, unrestricted dog movement, and high dog population turnover with a large proportion of dogs below one-year-old support endemic rabies circulation in this population. These gaps present opportunities for the design of effective dog rabies control
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