Towards Canine Rabies Elimination in KwaZulu–Natal, South Africa: Assessment of Health Economic Data. Issue 4 (21st November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shwiff, S. A.; Hatch, B.; Anderson, A.; Nel, L. H.; Leroux, K.; Stewart, D.; de Scally, M.; Govender, P.; Rupprecht, C. E.
• Is Part Of: Transboundary and emerging diseases. Volume 63:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 408
• Page End: 415
• Publication Date: 2014-11-21
• Subjects: rabies -- South Africa -- disease management -- economics -- vaccination -- human exposure; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12283
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1865-1674

Abstract

Summary: Rabies remains a significant problem throughout much of the developing world. An estimated 69 000 people die annually from exposure to rabies. Most of these deaths are the result of being bitten by a rabid dog. Mass vaccination campaigns targeting dogs have been implemented around the world in an attempt to control or eliminate canine rabies. We analysed the vaccination and cost data for a campaign in the KwaZulu–Natal province of South Africa; we found that the cost per dog vaccinated to be $6.61 for mass campaigns and $5.41 for local campaigns. We also estimated the cost of human post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP). The cost of PEP is approximately $64.50 on average per patient, and $333 on average for the 9% of patients who receive RIG. We also found that the districts that vaccinated the most dogs per capita experienced the highest rates of human treatment and thus had the highest PEP costs.