In the context of World Rabies Day, the recent vaccination campaign for dogs and cats in Bolivia is an outstanding example of an effort to combat this disease. Countries in the Region of the Americas have reduced human cases by almost 98%, from 300 in 1983 to seven in 2023.
— September 2024 —
On a sunny July day, the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia, was bustling with activity. Concerned about recent cases of rabies in his town, Gabriel Salazar took his dogs to the vaccination campaign organized by the Ministry of Health and Sports together with local authorities. "I had them vaccinated to protect them," he explained.
Rabies, a preventable zoonotic disease, remains a public health challenge. It is estimated that around 60,000 people die each year worldwide from this disease; 40% of them are children. Bites and scratches from infected dogs cause 99% of human rabies cases, which can be prevented by vaccinating dogs.
Bolivia remains endemic for rabies. Between 2013 and 2022, 31 people died from the virus, mostly transmitted by dogs, and 2,739 cases of canine rabies were reported. In 2023, 171 cases of canine rabies and two cases of human rabies were reported. As of June 2024, the country reported 24 cases of canine rabies.
In response to this situation, Bolivia launched its annual rabies vaccination campaign, mobilizing 25,000 brigades throughout the country. In the last three years, six of the country’s nine departments reported cases of human rabies. With an investment of 8.8 million bolivianos (US$ 1.2 million), more than 3.6 million doses of vaccines were purchased.
Dr. Grover Paredes, national head of the Ministry of Health’s zoonosis program, expressed enthusiasm: "In Bolivia, we have a plan that reaches from our health centers to the farthest corners of each neighborhood." The campaign was organized in three phases: a two-day mass vaccination campaign, one week of follow-up in areas with low coverage, and one year of maintenance vaccination.
Vaccination of dogs is essential to reduce the incidence of rabies, and it is necessary to achieve coverage rates above 80% to reduce the circulation of the virus and prevent cases in humans.
During the campaign, Dr. María Jesús Sánchez, international advisor on communicable diseases at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), highlighted the importance of the integrated work and technical support provided by PAHO and by PANAFTOSA, its specialized center in veterinary public health. "PANAFTOSA's participation has been fundamental to the follow-up of the rabies vaccination campaign in Bolivia," he said.
Since 1983, when the first meeting of the Rabies Program Directors of the Americas (REDIPRA) was held, the countries of the Region have coordinated PAHO-led actions to eliminate mediated human dog-transmitted human rabies. Thanks to these efforts, the Region has managed to reduce annual new cases of human rabies by nearly 98%, from 300 reported cases in 1983 to seven in 2023. This progress is the result of mass canine vaccination campaigns, public awareness, and the availability of prophylactic drugs for people exposed to the virus.
Isabel Lifonso, who lives in the community, stressed the need for vaccination: "Stray dogs in the streets are a risk; If someone is bitten, they could get this serious disease." Education and communication are essential to raise public awareness about rabies, its risks, and the importance of responsible pet ownership.
Marco Vigilato, regional zoonosis advisor at PANAFTOSA, emphasized that "without community engagement, it is impossible to have a successful campaign".
At the end of the campaign, assessments were conducted to ensure that no animal was left unvaccinated. "Rabies is 100% fatal, but also 100% preventable by vaccination," Vigilato said, reaffirming the hope for a future without canine rabies.
Gabriel's story and his dedication to protecting his dogs is just one example of a broader collective commitment. Thanks to collaboration between communities, government, and international organizations, Bolivia continues to move forward in the fight against rabies, charting a path towards a safer future for pets and people.
World Rabies Day, established by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), takes place every 28 September to promote the fight against this disease and to raise awareness about its prevention. The date honors French scientist Louis Pasteur, who died on 28 September 1895. Pasteur was the creator of the rabies vaccine.
Human rabies transmitted by dogs is one of more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions that PAHO seeks to eliminate by 2030 through its Elimination Initiative.