Background and Goals
Rabies, a fatal zoonotic disease caused by lyssaviruses, has emerged as a significant public health concern in Nepal’s Far Western Region. In 2022, the Kailali and Kanchanpur districts of Sudurpaschim Province experienced an unprecedented rabies outbreak with a 92.3% positivity rate in suspected samples. This outbreak resulted in 84 confirmed rabies outbreaks within a year, including the first reported case in pigs in Nepal, and the death of a young boy due to rabies. Historically, these districts had low rabies incidence, making this surge particularly alarming. The study aims to highlight the severity of the situation and advocate for urgent and comprehensive rabies control measures.
Materials and Methods
The study utilized epidemiological data from the Kailali and Kanchanpur districts, collected over a one-year period starting in November 2022. Rabies outbreaks were confirmed through laboratory testing of animal samples, including goats and pigs. The positivity rate was calculated based on the proportion of confirmed rabies cases among suspected samples. Data on the number of outbreaks and affected species were compiled to assess the extent and spread of the disease.
Results
- Outbreaks and Positivity Rate: A total of 84 confirmed rabies outbreaks were reported within a year, with 32 in Kailali and 50 in Kanchanpur districts. The overall positivity rate in suspected samples was 92.3%.
- Affected Species: Rabies affected various animal species, including the first reported case in pigs in Nepal.
- Human Case: The outbreak resulted in the death of a young boy due to rabies.
- Geographical Spread: The outbreaks were concentrated in the Terai region of Sudurpaschim Province, highlighting the need for targeted intervention in this area.
Conclusion
The unprecedented rabies outbreak in Nepal’s Far Western Region underscores the urgent need for comprehensive rabies control strategies. The absence of a national rabies control policy, limited resources, and inadequate awareness in rural areas have exacerbated the situation. To address this crisis, a multidisciplinary approach is required, involving collaboration between government and non-governmental organizations, prioritization of rural areas, improvement of health infrastructure, and strengthened surveillance.
Keywords
Rabies, Outbreak, Nepal, Far Western Region, Zoonotic Disease, Public Health
References
- Thakur, S., Joshi, N. P., Chand, B., & Neupane, L. (2024). Unprecedented rabies outbreak in Nepal’s Far Western Region: A call for urgent action. IJID One Health, 4(2), 100027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijidoh.2024.100027
- World Health Organization. (2021). Rabies fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies
Copyright
Thakur, S., Joshi, N. P., Chand, B., & Neupane, L. (2024). This article is an open-access publication distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided proper credit is given to the original author(s) and source
Disclaimer
This lesson paraphrases and adapts content from the original research by Thakur et al. (2024). All rights to the original publication remain with the authors and journal. This material is intended solely for educational and teaching purposes. Any commercial use or reproduction of the original work without permission is prohibited. You can find the full case study here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381201202_Unprecedented_rabies_outbreak_in_Nepal%27s_Far_Western_Region_A_call_for_urgent_action
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