, 2013). The true impact of rabies in Africa remains undefined. Although the number of countries reporting laboratory-confirmed cases of human rabies has decreased over the past 10 years (WHO, 2010), studies predicting the true number of human cases using indirect measures demonstrate that in Africa rabies is also under-reported because of poor surveillance and
reporting structures (Fooks, 2005 and Knobel et al., 2005). The virus is sporadically detected in wildlife, but canine Docetaxel manufacturer rabies poses the greatest threat to humans. An improved understanding of dog ecology in Africa is therefore essential to the success of rabies control and prevention through vaccination campaigns (Kayali et al., 2003, Lembo et al., 2010, Perry and Wandeler, 1993 and Wandeler et al., 1993). Region-specific studies, such as those in
Tanzania, have improved rabies surveillance and control (Beyer et al., 2011 and Cleaveland et al., 2010). A recent study in Uganda has also emphasized the need for active surveillance of animal bites and improved data high throughput screening on canine rabies, to improve mortality estimates and determine the true disease burden (Fevre et al., 2005). Fortunately, recent initiatives have begun to improve the situation in many areas with the Southern and East African Rabies Group (SEARG), the African Rabies Expert Bureau (AfroREB) and the Rabies in West Africa (RIWA) group being networks dedicated to the fight against rabies. A
recent AfroREB report stated that reliable data on the burden of rabies are still needed for informed decision-making and to set priorities. Unfortunately, rabies is diagnosed only clinically in most African countries, as few have facilities for laboratory confirmation. It is important to make rabies a notifiable disease in such countries (Anonymous, 2008). One future objective is collaboration between these African networks to create a pan-African approach to improve surveillance and reporting strategies. Controlling and preventing rabies in dogs is crucial to preventing Methocarbamol the disease in humans (Coleman and Dye, 1996). Showcase initiatives have demonstrated that the elimination of canine rabies from Africa and Asia is epidemiologically and practically feasible, through mass vaccination and enforcement of responsible dog ownership (Durr et al., 2009, Kaare et al., 2009 and Zinsstag et al., 2009). However, even though the tools are available, a number of obstacles prevent a coordinated approach to the global elimination of canine rabies, including: a lack of awareness and education of the public health and veterinary sectors; the absence of diagnostic facilities; inadequate surveillance and reporting systems; limited access to modern vaccines; and failures of responsible dog ownership (Sudarshan, 2007, Burki, 2008, Dodet et al., 2008 and Zhang et al., 2011).