One Health approaching rabies free zone in tourist places located along border areas between Nongkhai and Vientiane province, fiscal year 2015

Abstract

Nongkhai province was adjacent to the border of Laos and was set to one of special economic zone, which had the large influx of tourists throughout the year. Nongkhai and Vientiane agreed to establish rabies free zone in tourist places located along border areas between Nongkhai and Vientiane provinces as the goal of a “Rabiesfree ASEAN by 2020”. A pilot model of rabies free zone was set into five communities including Chomchonhisok, Sriboonreung-Pochai, Si Khun Mueang-Lamduan, Sri Saket-Srimuang-Tha Sa Dej and Sri Chomchuen in Muang District, Nongkhai. The One Health approach was used followed by policy of Department of Disease Control, Department of Livestock Development and Department of Local Administration that could be a guideline to expand the model in other areas especially in Vientiane, Laos. The pilot model was conducted from July to September 2015. Health volunteers explored dog and cat populations. In a cooperation between livestock officers, health officers and local administrative offices in Nongkhai province, vaccine immunization in dog and cat populations was immunized shortly afterwards. The results were revealed that a total population in the five communities was 7,765. Most of them perceived a benefit of One Health approaching rabies free zone from broadcast tower, radio communities and visiting of health volunteers. From animal survey, there were two hundred ninety five dogs divided into fourteen strayed dogs (4.74%) and one hundred eighty four cats divided into thirty-eight strayed cats (20.65%). A vaccine coverage was 41.01% in dogs (121 of 295 dog populations) and 3.08% in cats (7 of 184 cat populations) that was lower than the 80% target level set by World Health Organization rabies-control program. There was no suspected human and animal rabid case during a period of study. To be continued in a strong program of rabies free zone, strengthen surveillance of rabies in multidisciplinary could be a key success of the program.