Rabies in Eswatini: What are the Issues and Challenges?

Abstract

National efforts to control canine rabies have encountered some challenges, hence the disease is becoming endemic in Eswatini. The purpose of this study was to establish the extent to which resources and other relevant constraints may have an impact on implementing the national rabies programms in the country. In this study retrospective data going as far back as 1999 to 2018 was used to highlight the rabies situation in the country. The available insight into the existing and previous control measures may become useful guidelines for designing and implementing future control strategies. The major challenges identified were issues of vaccine and vaccination, government fiscal challenges, High birth rate of stray dogs were responsible for the rabies virus circulation in the domestic environment, provision of diagnostic facilities for testing of vaccine efficacy, vaccine quality, healthy dog carriers, check for vaccination antibody titres. Observations from this study were that the continuing efforts of the competent authority to spearhead the rabies control programms were acceptable and commendable considering the challenges encountered. A few recommendations are outlined for possible consideration as a contribution towards the rabies disease elimination.