Tidman R, Fahrion AS, Thumbi SM, Wallace RM,de Balogh K, Iwar V, Yale G, Dieuzy-Labaye I.United Against Rabies Forum: The first 2 years. Frontiers in Public health. Vol 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1010071
Introduction
Rabies, one of the world's most ancient infectious diseases and most lethal viral zoonosis of mammals, kills an estimated 59,000 people annually across large regions of the globe (1). Transmitted by domestic dogs in up to 99% of human cases, effective control methods to tackle the disease have been long proven but often do not reach the population in need—poor and marginalized communities (2). The elimination of human deaths from dog-mediated rabies is achievable by applying a One Health approach, and the framework to do this is outlined in Zero by 30: the Global Strategic Plan to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 (Zero by 30) (3). Developed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), World Health Organisation (WHO) (the Tripartite) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) in 2018, this country-centric strategy prioritizes the changes needed to reach zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies with three core objectives: to effectively use vaccines, medicines, tools and technologies; to generate, innovate, and measure impact; and to sustain commitment and resources (3).
To use the momentum created by Zero by 30, the Tripartite launched the United Against Rabies Forum (UAR Forum) in 2020 to create a broad and inclusive network of stakeholders who share a vision for the elimination of dog-mediated rabies, and wish to work collectively to achieve it (4). Three working groups, encompassing more than 30 institutions, were established to progress activities that contributed to each of the three Zero by 30 objectives (4). In line with a One Health approach, these working groups actively engage a wide range of stakeholders including participants from national and regional entities, human and animal health sectors, NGOs, academic and research institutions, and private sectors (4). This paper gives a review of the objectives, governance, activities and achievements of the UAR Forum to date. It also outlines ongoing work, and next steps as the UAR Forum reviews the first 2 years of activities and identifies priority areas for the coming 12 months.