The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)’s engagement towards Rabies Elimination in Africa

  • Samuel Wanyangu Wakhusama OIE Sub-Regional Representation for Eastern Africa, Taj Towers, Upper Hill P.O. Box 19687-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Patrick Bastiaensen OIE Sub-Regional Representation for Eastern Africa, Taj Towers, Upper Hill P.O. Box 19687-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Rachid Bouguedour OIE Sub-Regional Representation for North Africa, 17 Avenue d'Afrique - El Menzah V - 2091-Tunis Tunisia
  • Moetapele Letshwenyo OIE Sub-Regional Representation for Southern Africa, P.O. Box 25662 Gaborone, Botswana
  • Karim Tounkara OIE Regional Representation for Africa, BP 2954 Bamako, Mali
  • Jocelyn Mérot OIE Sub-Regional Representation for North Africa, 17 Avenue d'Afrique - El Menzah V - 2091-Tunis Tunisia
  • Alessandro Ripani OIE Sub-Regional Representation for North Africa, 17 Avenue d'Afrique - El Menzah V - 2091-Tunis Tunisia
  • Torres Gregorio OIE Science and New Technologies Department, Paris, France
  • Stéphane Renaudin OIE World Animal Health and Welfare Fund, Paris, France
  • Catherine Bertrand-Ferrandis OIE Communication Unit, Paris, France
  • Elisabeth Erlacher-Vindel OIE Science and New Technologies Department, Paris, France
Keywords: rabies, vaccine bank, Africa, OIE

Abstract

This review article highlights the role of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) towards dog-mediated rabies elimination in Africa. It provides a brief description of rabies and its global impact on humans and the role of the OIE in the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies by 2030. In addition, it addresses the OIE international standards on rabies, the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway as a tool to assess the quality of Veterinary Services, the partnership with other international organizations under the “One Health” umbrella as applied in the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies, the rabies vaccine bank, the training of OIE national Focal Points, and laboratory twinning projects as a means to enhance capacity in the fight against dog-mediated human rabies in Africa. The article concludes by presenting specific pilot projects being undertaken by the OIE in Africa - as proof of concept - in view of scaling up activities in the African continent.

Published
2019-12-14