Challenges of Implementing a Rabies Program in Haiti

Kelly Crowdis, DVM Christian Veterinary Mission, Haiti

Brief History of Veterinary Medicine in Haiti

First Veterinarian 1950 Prior to 2006 less than 15 licensed veterinarians Endemic Diseases

Anthrax, Classical Swine Fever, Rabies, Newcastle, Teschens Disease

History of Rabies in Haiti

1788 mentioned in memoirs of Jean Lompardieu Lapole 1920s first rabies vaccinations given by US military Laws Pertaining to Rabies

1926: control of loose dogs 1954: Public Hygiene Code, Bellerive

History of Rabies in Haiti

1991 accord between MSPP and MARNDR to promote a program against zoonotic diseases

Ministry of Public Health: control of stay/wild animals and people who have been bitten Ministry of Agriculture: control of vaccination programs and diganostics

World Rabies Day

2006 29 human cases of rabies reported in the Americas, 11 from Haiti 2007 Haiti decides to fight against rabies Celebration of World Rabies Day (September 11, 2007) Sponsors: PAHO/WHO Brasil, MARNDR and MSPP

Technical Cooperation Among Countries

Financing PAHO/WHO Rabies Vaccine 500,000 doses Brazil (2008-2009) Vaccination Campaign Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Domincan Republic

Principal Components of the Campaign Against Rabies

Public Awareness Campaign

Public Service Messages Radio/Television Posters/Flyers Education of Farmer/Womens Groups

Survellance and Diagnostics

Vilgilance in trapping wild/stray dogs Survey bat and mongoose populations for presence of rabies Canine Census Better diagnostic capabilites HSI New Fluroscent Scope CDC dRIT Test

Continuing Education

Symptoms of Rabies Sample Collection Treatment of people and animals bitten by a rabid animal

Species Of Animals Most Commonly Infected With Rabies Virus

Domestic Animals

Dogs, cats, goats, pigs, rabbits, equids Bats, mongoose

Wild Animals

Vectors And Resivoirs Of Rabies In Haiti

Dogs: most common vector and resivoir Bats: 2001-02 study of bats in Port Au Prince showed a 7.1% infecton rate Mongoose present since Colonial times, imported to keep snakes out of the cane fields

Realities Cultural, Logistical, Political

Principaux foyers de Rage en Hati

Limb Anse Rouge

Marchand Dessalines

Capotille Desdunes

Port au Prince

Camp Perrin Aquin

Carrefour Marigot Jacmel Thiotte

PHANORD Simon, Ing Agr, Msc / September 2007

Control of wild/stray dogs

Castration of male dogs Identification of vaccinated animals Humane elimination of suspected cases of rabies in wild/stray dogs Public information campaign about animal welfare and taking care of dogs

Results of Rabies Campaigns Since 1995

Vaccination Campaigans

Vaccination Campaigns Prior to 2007

Irregular and sporadic Little to no public awareness No control of wild/stray animals Little to no governmental or NGO involvment in vaccination campaigns or public health aspect of rabies control

Rsultats de la campagne de vaccination antirabique en Hati (19952008)

400,000 355545 350,000 300,000 250,000 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 4,426 0
-1 9 -1 9 -1 9 -1 9 -2 0 -2 0 -2 0 -2 0 -2 0 -2 0 -2 0 -2 0 07 -2 20 00 8 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 20 06

248,107 196,798 162,247

58,122

71,000

59788

95

96

97

98

99

00

01

02

03

04

19

19

19

19

19

20

20

20

20

20

Exercice fiscal

20

05

Vaccination Results 2009-10

421,501 dogs and cats vaccinated

ARCH 7,393

US Army 43rd Detachment and CVM 10,342

2011 no vaccinations given to date

Human Rabies Cases Reported

2006 = 11 confirmed 2007 = 6 confirmed 2008 = 4 confirmed 2009 = 3 confirmed 2010 = 5+ unconfirmed 2011 = 5+ 1 confirmed