WHO Expert Consultation on Rabies, 5-8
October 2004
Technical Report Series 931–First Report
More than 99% of all human rabies deaths occur in the
developing world, and although effective and economical control measures are
available, the disease has not been brought under control throughout most of the
affected countries. Given that a major factor in the low level of commitment to
rabies control is a lack of accurate data on the true public health impact of
the disease, this report of a WHO Expert Consultation begins by providing new
data on the estimated burden of the disease and its distribution in the world.
It also reviews recent progress in the classification of rabies viruses, rabies
pathogenesis and diagnosis, rabies pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, the
management of rabies patients, and canine as well as wildlife rabies prevention
and control.
Considering the emergence of new lyssaviruses and changes
in animal and human rabies epidemiology observed on different continents, the
definition of a rabies-free country or area has been revised to assist public
health authorities in better assessing the risk of human rabies resulting from
contact with animals. Measures aiming at preventing the spread of rabies through
the international transfer of animals, mainly with regard to pets, are discussed
as well as the new systems in place within and outside WHO to share rabies data
and information.
As certain tools currently used in rabies prevention and
control, such as biologicals, tests for intra vitam and postmortem diagnosis,
vaccines and immunoglobulin quality control, need improvement, the report ends
by outlining the priorities for basic research, as well as those for operational
research for sustainable canine rabies control, including dog population
management schemes complying with animal welfare principles. Such operational
research is necessary for removing or alleviating the main constraints to rabies
control in dogs, as these are the source of most human rabies cases worldwide
Full Report [pdf 921kb]
Final prepublication text – TRS 931
For more resources see the
WHO rabies sites.