1. Dr. Emily Mudoga of World Animal Protection Guest Talk Forum on Multisectoral approach for rabies control
Dr. Emily Mudoga of World Animal Protection gives a Guest Talk Forum Titled “Animal Welfare through an African Lens: A Multi-sectoral Approach to Rabies Control”. This was organised by OHCEA-Kenya as part of the week long activities to mark World Rabies day which is held every year on 28th September.
Though rabies disease is one of the most important zoonotic diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, there is low level of research targeted at its control and eradication. OHCEA-Kenya through University of Nairobi and Moi University One Health Students Clubs One Health organised a guest talk forum as part of preliminary events towards celebration of World Rabies Day During the forum a guest speaker was invited from industry to share their experience in Rabies control and eradication using One Health approach. Dr. Emily Mudoga of world animal protect was identified due to the experience of her organization in Rabies control using a multisectoral approach/One Health approach in Zanzibar. Dr. Mudoga presented a talk on Rabies Control in Africa:
The talk emphasised the need for all countries to collaborate in tackling rabies using one- health approach since Rabies can be eradicated from the face of earth. She shared the experiences of World animal Protection
The presentation highlighted some of the challenges around dog management and population control including
People do not feed dogs so they have to scavenge, coming at risk of being bitten by rabid dogs
People do not restrain dogs all the time
Dog breeders have become rogue and are uncontrolled-lie about vaccination
Wild animals/Dogs come to town to get food in waste disposal areas.
Mishandling
Not vaccinating
Poor husbandry
The Policy challenges highlighted included low funding priority for rabies eradication, weak infrastructure and uncoordinated approach towards rabies eradication.
The forum was attended by over 150 students and 25 Faculty staff members who discussed the several approaches that can be replicated for rabies control and eradication in sub-Saharan Africa.