NAIROBI, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan ministry of health and multilateral partners on Friday launched a comprehensive blue print to guide implementation of policy, funding and biomedical interventions aimed at eliminating rabies by 2030.
Principal Secretary in the ministry of health, Nicholas Muraguri, said the strategy aims to revitalize the war against the disease spread by canines and which is responsible for an estimated 2,000 deaths in Kenya annually.
"Rabies is among high priority zoonotic diseases that have been earmarked for elimination in the near future. The disease remains a major public health challenge in the country," Muraguri said.
The ministry of health has partnered with its agriculture and livestock counterpart to implement broad strategies aimed at eradicating rabies in high burden counties.
Muraguri said besides mass vaccination for canines, state agencies will also roll out public education programs to sensitize communities on detecting onset of rabies in domestic and wild dogs.
"We are going to invest in human capital, diagnostic equipment and research in order to improve surveillance, treatment and management of rabies," said Muraguri.
He spoke against a backdrop of the death of two children in the coastal region who contracted rabies.
Kenya has borrowed international best practices to revitalize the war against rabies which is 100 percent fatal but can be prevented through timely vaccination.
Muraguri said adequate investments in vaccination, awareness and research will inch Kenya closer to becoming rabies free.
"We have already eliminated other zoonotic diseases like rider pest and it is possible to achieve similar feat on rabies," said Muraguri adding that vaccination for canines will soon commence in high burden counties.
Kenya has adopted a multi-sectoral approach to eliminate rabies by 2030. Principal Secretary for agriculture and livestock, Dr Andrew Tuimur said that strategic partnerships, training and capacity development as well as community involvement will bolster efforts to eliminate rabies.
"We should not operate in silos since rabies is not only a public health hazard but has a negative impact on the economy," Tuimur remarked.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that rabies kills an estimated 60,000 people worldwide every year.
It is ranked among five zoonotic diseases that require urgent attention due to their negative impacts on public health.
