Namibia: Supporting national strategies against rabies

Northern Communal Area (Namibia) – 2016-2018

Implementing a national rabies elimination strategy is a long-term process which involves many different actors. In order to best accompany countries’ effort to eliminate the disease, WOAH puts in place various programmes.

A recent example is the launch of a 3-year project in northern Namibia, where 93% of the country’s dog rabies cases occur. Commenced shortly after the launch of the government’s National Rabies Control Strategy, this project aims to escalate the number of vaccinated dogs and to increase awareness among the population, with the objective of eliminating rabies. An initial pilot phase was implemented in the Oshana region from March 2016: following its success it has been extended to seven neighbouring areas (Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Kunene, Omusati, Kavango West, Kavango East, Zambezi) and will run until May 2018.

Lessons learnt from this successful example will help improve rabies control in Southern Africa.