In Reply to: Some more comment on WHO reports posted by dadvet on Wednesday, 3. March 2010 at 09:27 Bali Time:
(quote) Elimination of Rabies in ASEAN Plus Three Countries by 2020
In recent years, Vietnam, China, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand have faced a rapid increase in rabies cases. In
Vietnam from 2000 to 2005, a total of 309 human cases were reported, averaging 60 human cases each year, yet 125
human cases were reported by 2007, mostly from 5 Provinces. In China only 343 human cases were reported in 1999,
while over 2,000 cases have been reported annually since 2003. This may be the result of efforts being focused on other
emerging infectious diseases such as Avian Influenza, SARS etc. at national and global levels. On the other hand, rabies
prevention programs achieved remarkable results in reducing cases and deaths from rabies and this is leading to improper
vigilance by relevant institutions within the region. Sharing information and experience, cross-border and intersectoral
collaboration in developing a regional strategy will be key to improving the situation among Asian countries.
A Workshop on Strengthening Cooperation and Information Sharing on
Rabies among ASEAN Plus Three Countries aimed to share experiences, best
practices and lessons learned on rabies prevention and control and was held
on 23-25 April 2008 in Halong, Viet Nam. The workshop was organized by the
National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Ministry of Health of Viet Nam
under the ASEAN Plus Three Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme of the
ASEAN Secretariat and funded by AusAID of the Australian Government.
Experts and programme managers from ASEAN Member States, Plus Three Countries (China, Japan, Republic of
Korea), international organizations from the human health and veterinary sectors, and experts from the World Health
Organization, World Organization for Animal Health, Veterinarians Without Borders, World Society for the Protection of
Animals and Institut Pasteur presented at the workshop and put forward a set of strategies in a resolution for the
elimination of rabies in ASEAN Plus Three Countries by 2020.
Rabies is a neglected and under-reported disease that kills at least 30,000 people in Asia annually and at least 40% of
these deaths are among children less than 15 years of age. Experts highlighted the need for political commitment and
action at the highest level of all ASEAN Plus Three Countries to consider rabies as one of the priorities needing resources
for human and animal health services.
Some of the recommendations on policy development, surveillance, prevention and control of rabies in animals and
humans, information, education and communication, capacity-building, integration and coordination of efforts and
partnerships were underlined. The workshop also highlighted the development and implementation of a multi-sector
approach to rabies prevention, control and elimination in national programmes as well as the need for these programmes
to support community-based approaches.
This piece was contributed by Dr. Ma. Luningning Villa, ASEAN Plus Three EID Programme, ASEAN Secretariat and Dr.
Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh, Deputy Director, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Viet Nam. The full text of the
resolution and presentations are available at www.aseanplus3-eid.info/newsread.php?nid=13&gid=102
The files i can't open are on the ASEAN plus 3 website