Onehealth – stop Rabies by 2030
Starting in February 2014 the “One Health Usambara” project started to vaccinate all of the estimated 600+ dogs in the area. This year we vaccinated even 1205 dogs since Tanapa, the Mkomazi park owner, did not vaccinate the dogs in Mnazi. Consequently Mnazi has been adopted into the program.
Rabies vaccination of dogs is a critical
public health measure that protects both human and animal health, preventing
the spread of a fatal disease, and supporting global health objectives. It is a
cost-effective and essential intervention to ensure the safety and well-being
of communities worldwide.
Rabies remains a significant public health
challenge in Tanzania, with an estimated 1,500 human deaths, among them 600
children, annually, although the actual number might be higher.
Achieving the critical 70% vaccination coverage necessary for controlling rabies has been difficult. In some areas, vaccination rates have been lower than needed, primarily due to logistical challenges, cultural practices, and limited resources.
To implement this vaccination program,
cooperation from the local veterinarians was needed and five local people were
trained as Auxiliary Officers. They were trained in safe dog handling, and
vaccination techniques. During the vaccination all dogs also got a general
health check ensuring only healthy dogs were vaccinated
The number of vaccinations has increased
from 117 dogs in 2014 till over 600 dogs in 2024. In 2022 also the area around
Rangwi and the plains area in Mnazi were included. The last became necessary
after it became known that various dogs had contracted rabies from the wildlife
in the nearby Mkomazi national park. With this, a total population of around
50,000 inhabitants in the Mtae division and another 15,000 in Mnazi division
have been protected. Among the latest were many Maasai who are living around the
borders of the park.
Another initiative and part of the One
Health program in 2024, will be to provide post exposure treatment for free for
the people who have been bitten. This will be available via the regular health
system, aiming to have full courses of post exposure vaccines available in all
health centers in Lushoto district, which is covering the Usambara mountains
and Mnazi.
In 2024 the project
began to work with a new NGO, Usambara Green Nourishers Organization (UGNO)
which has provided essential local expertise and knowledge. It was founded for
the execution of the program. UGNO managed to address one of the main difficulties
to encourage the many dog owners to join the program. Earlier many did not join
because they were not informed about the importance of vaccination or there
were rumors that dogs died because of the vaccination.
Many challenges have been overcome by a
good education program, training of the Auxiliary Officers and local
Veterinarians, ensuring all vaccinations are carried out to the highest of
standards and all animals are handled gently and safely.
To reach the WHO goal and provide optimal protection, a yearly vaccination has to be maintained. As the program develops and people understand the importance of vaccination, it is hoped that the dog owners will begin to pay for the program. For the time being, your support is very much appreciated.
You can donate to this
project via MamboSteunPunt with the remark “Rabies”.
www.mambosteunpunt.org/donations
