Rabies Guide 2010.pdf - the South African Veterinary Council

less labour-intensive than central-point vaccination.
Education of communities before embarking on this
course of action is imperative.
Key factors which influence
success
Key factors that influence the success of control
campaigns include: accurate epidemiological
information, aggressive marketing, careful planning,
thorough logistical preparation, intersectoral
cooperation and enthusiasm. 155
Ideally human and dog census figures should be
obtained. This may require a separate local survey.
Historical information of human and animal rabies
cases together with previous vaccination records for
the outbreak areas are integral to the success of the
entire venture. Appropriate maps indicating roads,
population distribution, schools, clinics, community
centres and other key community meeting points
allow efficient planning of the campaign. 156
Cultural perceptions of local communities, level of
education, attitude towards previous campaigns and
awareness of rabies should be borne in mind. Cost
analyses of previous campaigns and control strategies
can be used to advocate for funding.
Aggressive marketing is probably the most important
prerequisite for ensuring adequate coverage. This
should aim at maximum mobilisation of communities
by utilising all appropriate media within available
resources. Television, radio, newspapers, water and
electricity accounts, schools, tribal and district
authorities, health authorities and clinics, churches,
dip-tanks, pamphlets, posters, loudspeakers, and word
of mouth are all avenues that have been successfully
utilised in South Africa. Innovative measures such as
advertisements placed on taxis and inserts on audio
tapes distributed via the minibus association have also
improved coverage. Small incentives and inexpensive
gifts, such as peak hats and stickers with rabies
prevention messages, have heightened awareness and
promoted enthusiastic participation in vaccination
campaigns.
It is important to remember that communication
and marketing channels differ between communities,
and it is therefore essential to identify and utilise the
most locally appropriate means. The horrific nature
of rabies results in extensive coverage being provided
by various media organisations and local and district
authorities, usually free of charge.
Community needs and circumstances should always
influence decisions on the timing and location
of vaccination campaigns. A tailored strategy for
each community must be well planned in advance
of a campaign. Vaccination campaigns should be
conducted at a time when people are available to
bring their dogs. This is generally before or after
normal working hours in affluent societies, in the
afternoon in areas where schoolchildren are expected
to bring dogs, and during weekends, particularly
Saturday mornings, or school holidays in both urban
and rural areas.
The choice of venue should be carefully considered.
In urban areas a large open space that is well lit and
preferably near shops, schools, community centres or
a post office in an area of high population density,
generally yields the best results.
Distances between vaccination points should not
exceed 3 to 4 km. Surveys indicate that in communities
lacking transport, the majority of the community will
seldom walk, drag or carry their dogs beyond 2 km
to be vaccinated. Where annual campaigns are held,
rainfall pattern, temperature and weather conditions
should be considered if high vaccination coverage is
to be obtained.
Ensure that adequate supplies of vaccine, certificates,
and clean sterile syringes and needles are available.
Sufficient tables, chairs and assistants are vital for a
smooth-running and efficient campaign. Ensure that
all administrative material and equipment are available
before initiating the campaign. These include the
items on the campaign equipment checklist (Table
13).
The type of operation chosen will determine the
scale of interdepartmental liaison and intersectoral
collaboration between the Departments of Health,
Justice, Education and the South African Police
Service required. It is important that tribal authorities,
organised agriculture, local government, private
veterinarians and welfare organisations must be
involved to ensure success.
The success of any disease control programme is
directly related to the enthusiasm and commitment
of team leaders and members. The decision on
58