How a private organization in Pakistan initiated One Health Project to eliminate rabies

Objectives

In response to the escalating dog-bite incidents in Pakistan, the Indus Hospital Research Center (IHRC) introduced a pilot program of One Health to raise awareness about dog-related rabies in a fishing village in Karachi, and to vaccinate and sterilize unowned dogs in the area. The program was named “Rabies Free Pakistan” (RFP).

Design

Through community engagement, and financial and logistical support from multiple sources, field workers were trained to catch, vaccinate, neuter/spay, and release the dogs.

Results

The local community became aware of rabies and postexposure prophylaxis, while the team vaccinated 36,997dogs and sterilized 11,397 between 2018 and 2022. The outcome of a reduced dog population cannot be predicted for several years; however, cases of dog-bite outbreaks in the field reduced considerably, and the local people reported fewer puppies in 2022.

Conclusions

Despite many challenges, RFP proved to the community, the local government, and the donors that mass dog vaccination and neutering/spaying are possible through a collaborative effort. Political will is the primary requisite to carry on the One Health Initiative if rabies is to be eliminated from the country.