Combating Rabies through the One Health Approach: An Integrated Strategy for Prevention and Control

Abstract

Rabies, a fatal yet vaccine-preventable zoonotic disease, continues to pose a significant public health burden, particularly in low- and middle income countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Despite causing an estimated 59,000 deaths and over 3.7 million disability adjusted life years (DALYs) annually, rabies remains neglected due to fragmented health systems, limited awareness, and inadequate access to vaccines. The One Health approach, which emphasises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health,
offers a comprehensive framework for rabies prevention and control. This article explores the effectiveness of One Health interventions, including mass dog vaccination, integrated surveillance, community engagement, and cross-sectoral coordination. Case studies from Latin America, Bangladesh, and Rwanda demonstrate measurable successes in reducing rabies incidence through collaborative efforts. While challenges such as insufficient funding, manpower, and governance persist, scaling up One Health strategies—especially in endemic regions—remains essential for achieving the global goal of zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

How to cite this article:
Katole A, Jha A, Giri P. Combating Rabies through
the One Health Approach: An Integrated Strategy
for Prevention and Control. APCRI J. 2025; 27(2):16-20.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0973.5038.202511