Assessing the practicalities of joint snakebite and dog rabies control programs: Commonalities and potential pitfallsBox 1
Terence P. Scott,
Sanjib K. Sharma,
Ryan M. Wallace,
Louis H. Nel,
Samir K. Adhikari,
Bernadette Abela-Ridder,
S.M. Thumbi
Affiliations
Terence P. Scott
Global Alliance for Rabies Control, Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA; Corresponding author.
Sanjib K. Sharma
Department of Internal Medicine, B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
Ryan M. Wallace
Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center of Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
Louis H. Nel
Global Alliance for Rabies Control SA NPC, Pretoria, 0181, South Africa; Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
Samir K. Adhikari
Emergency Health Operation Center and Chief Multi-sector Coordination, Ministry of Health, Nepal
Bernadette Abela-Ridder
Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
S.M. Thumbi
Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Kenya; Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Paul G Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164- 7090, USA
Both rabies and snakebite primarily affect underserved and impoverished communities globally, with an estimated 200,000 people dying from these diseases annually, and the greatest burden being in Africa and Asia. Both diseases have been neglected and have thus been denied appropriate prioritization, support, and interventions, and face many of the challenges common to all neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In line with the call for integrated approaches between NTDs in the recent NTD Roadmap, we sought to build upon previous conceptualizations for an integrated approach by identifying the commonalities between snakebite and rabies to explore the feasibility of an integrated approach. While multiple areas for potential integration are identified, we highlight the potential pitfalls to integrating rabies and snakebite programs, considering the nuances that make each disease and its intervention program unique. We conclude that health system strengthening, and capacity building should be the focus of any integrated approach among NTDs, and that by strengthening overall health systems, both rabies and snakebite can advocate for further support from governments and stakeholders.
