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Introduction <p>Rabies remains a significant public health threat in Ghana, especially in endemic urban areas such as Techiman Metropolitan. This communication highlights the role of empowered dog owners and coordinated One Health actions in eliminating human rabies cases through a community-led intervention model.</p> Methods <p>A metropolitan-wide rabies prevention initiative was implemented from 2022 to 2024 under the leadership of the Veterinary Services Directorate. The study area has a population of about 243,335 and an estimated dog population of 8,000. Baseline dog vaccination coverage in 2022 was 31.4%. The intervention engaged dog owners in responsible pet ownership practices, including annual vaccination, confinement, and immediate reporting of dog bites. Simultaneously, the One Health team, comprising veterinary officers, public health workers, and local authorities, coordinated mass dog vaccination campaigns, cross-sectoral surveillance, and ensured timely administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) through integrated referral systems.</p> Results <p>Of the 8,000 estimated dogs, 5,600 (70%) were vaccinated in 2024, compared to 2,355/7,500 (31.4%) in 2021 (χ<sup>2</sup> = 1,502.7, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Among vaccinated dogs, 422 (6.0%) had previously bitten humans. Bite reporting increased from 106 cases in 2021 to 180 in 2024 (60.7% increase, χ<sup>2</sup> = 15.2, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). No human rabies deaths were recorded in 2024, compared to an annual average of six deaths between 2017-2023. These results were achieved through community sensitization, intersectoral collaboration, and the decentralization of vaccination and reporting services.</p> Discussion <p>The success of the intervention demonstrates that community empowerment and integration of veterinary and human health services through the One Health model are critical to interrupting rabies transmission. The approach provides a scalable framework for rabies control in other endemic settings, supporting the World Health Organisation’s Zero-by-2030 strategy for global rabies elimination.</p>

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Empowering dog owners and One Health teams to eliminate rabies: A community-Led approach from Techiman metropolitan, Ghana

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月16日

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  • Dwaah Prince Kyere,
  • Awua-Boateng Nana Yaa,
  • Osei-Tutu Anthony,
  • Abass Kasim Sakran,
  • Kando David,
  • Otu Solomon,
  • Lamptey Gyan

摘要

Introduction

Rabies remains a significant public health threat in Ghana, especially in endemic urban areas such as Techiman Metropolitan. This communication highlights the role of empowered dog owners and coordinated One Health actions in eliminating human rabies cases through a community-led intervention model.

Methods

A metropolitan-wide rabies prevention initiative was implemented from 2022 to 2024 under the leadership of the Veterinary Services Directorate. The study area has a population of about 243,335 and an estimated dog population of 8,000. Baseline dog vaccination coverage in 2022 was 31.4%. The intervention engaged dog owners in responsible pet ownership practices, including annual vaccination, confinement, and immediate reporting of dog bites. Simultaneously, the One Health team, comprising veterinary officers, public health workers, and local authorities, coordinated mass dog vaccination campaigns, cross-sectoral surveillance, and ensured timely administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) through integrated referral systems.

Results

Of the 8,000 estimated dogs, 5,600 (70%) were vaccinated in 2024, compared to 2,355/7,500 (31.4%) in 2021 (χ2 = 1,502.7, p < 0.001). Among vaccinated dogs, 422 (6.0%) had previously bitten humans. Bite reporting increased from 106 cases in 2021 to 180 in 2024 (60.7% increase, χ2 = 15.2, p < 0.001). No human rabies deaths were recorded in 2024, compared to an annual average of six deaths between 2017-2023. These results were achieved through community sensitization, intersectoral collaboration, and the decentralization of vaccination and reporting services.

Discussion

The success of the intervention demonstrates that community empowerment and integration of veterinary and human health services through the One Health model are critical to interrupting rabies transmission. The approach provides a scalable framework for rabies control in other endemic settings, supporting the World Health Organisation’s Zero-by-2030 strategy for global rabies elimination.