Rabies burden and estimated cost of rabies elimination in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

INTRODUCTION: Mass dog vaccinations in Chad and Tanzania have shown that Africa has the necessary skills to eliminate rabies. However, the elimination of rabies on this continent requires significant financial means and commitment of policies. Long neglected dog rabies has only recently been placed on the list of priority diseases in most countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). As one of the goals of sustainable development is to eliminate rabies by 2030, the success of such an intervention requires regional coordination. To encourage policies on rabies elimination in the ECOWAS region, first it is important to demonstrate to decision-makers its impact on public health and the benefit of control of the vector population. METHODS: first, the systematic review will collect data on the weight (or burden) of rabies (canine population, incidence, and various costs), phylogeny, and geography, to identify the actors in the fight against rabies as well as national strategies. Next, these data will be used to parameterize the integrated regional rabies control model. RESULTS: this predictive model of rabies elimination will illustrate its feasibility (number of lives saved), its profitability and its sustainability. CONCLUSION: the importance and effect of intersectoral intervention for rabies control is then perceived by physicians and veterinarians and governments. Similarly, the benefit of regional coordination especially for fundraising is perceived. A nationally and globally adaptable strategic plan is developed and can be applied to other infectious diseases including zoonoses.