Abstract
This article examines the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on dog-mediated rabies, a neglected tropical disease that remains endemic in >65 countries. A globally agreed strategy for rabies elimination is underpinned by a One Health approach, coordinating human and animal health sectors and engaging communities. We present data on the scale and nature of COVID-19 disruption to rabies control programmes and the wider learning for One Health implementation. We argue that the global shift in health priorities caused by the pandemic, and consequent side-lining of animal health, will have broader ramifications for One Health implementation and preparedness for future emergent zoonoses.
Highlights
Essential health services have been disrupted across the globe by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, exacerbating inequalities and setting back communities already suffering a high burden of preventable disease
This is especially true for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) whose control is underpinned by community-level interventions
Rabies is among the NTDs prioritised for elimination, with a target of reaching zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.2 In 2020, the United Against Rabies Forum was launched to accelerate progress towards this goal, promoting a One Health approach
Summary
Deborah Nadal a,∗, Sarah Beechingb, Sarah Cleaveland a, Katy Croninb, Katie Hampson a, Rachel Steenson a, and Bernadette Abela-Ridderc aInstitute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 QQ, UK; bOshun Partnership, 19 Cedar Road, Sutton, SM2 5DA, UK; cDepartment of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva 1202, Switzerland. This article examines the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on dog-mediated rabies, a neglected tropical disease that remains endemic in >65 countries. A globally agreed strategy for rabies elimination is underpinned by a One Health approach, coordinating human and animal health sectors and engaging communities. We present data on the scale and nature of COVID-19 disruption to rabies control programmes and the wider learning for One Health implementation.
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