Rabies Surveillance Guidelines

Online Information Systems
Statistical Databases
SIRVERA: Epidemiological Surveillance System for Rabies	SIEPI: Epidemiological Information System
Bibliographical Database
	VHL: Virtual Library in Veterinary Public Health

More PAHO Materials on Rabies

Expert Consultation on Human Rabies Transmitted by Vampire Bats in the Amazon Region

Evaluation Methodology: Elimination of Human and Dog Rabies in Latin America

Situation Analysis: Elimination of Dog-Transmitted Human Rabies in Latin America (Results of Study)

Epidemiological Situation of Rabies in Latin America in 2004, PAHO Epidemiological Bulletin, Vol 26, No. 1, March 2005)

REDIPRA: Meetings of Directors of National Programs for Rabies Control in Latin America

RIMSA: Inter-American Meeting, at Ministerial Level, on Health and Agriculture

- Rabies
- Zoonoses / Animal Health
- Veterinary Public Health

WHO Links
- - Fact Sheet Rabies
- Zoonoses and Veterinary Public Health: Rabies
- Human & Animal Rabies: A Neglected Zoonotic Disease
- General Surveillance Information
- Rabies and Envenomings: A Neglected Public Health Issue
- Expert Consultation
- Rabies Publications

Case Definition |  Treatment Guide

Recommended Types of Surveillance

• Surveillance of the
  Human Population
  • Surveillance of Human Exposure to Rabies: At the local level, especially in a rabies-infected area, reports of patients having contact with animals (generally bites or scratches) should be immediately investigated and, when necessary, considered as emergency cases. Case and aggregate data should be sent regularly to the central- and intermediate-level rabies teams.
  • Surveillance of Human Rabies Cases: Report immediately any suspected or confirmed (i.e. by diagnosing physician or laboratory) cases at the peripheric level to the intermediate and central levels. Rapid exchange of information is required with services in charge of surveillance and control of animal rabies.
  
  • Epidemiological Investigation of Outbreaks: Investigation should be carried out at all foci, identifying sources of infection as well as humans and animals exposed or possibly exposed. PAHO Disease Outbreak Notices
• Surveillance of the Animal Population
  (Epizootic Control)
  Immediate presentation for laboratory diagnosis of a cerebral specimen from any animal suspected of having rabies, in cases involving human exposure.
  • Any domestic animals suspected of causing human exposure, but that cannot be sacrificed, should remain under observation for 10 days. Surveillance should be initiated for animal rabies and other similar diseases in wild and domestic species with a high probability of acting as disease reservoirs in countries where the disease is endemic or could be re-introduced. Surveillance is laboratory based. Rapid exchange of information is required between services in charge of surveillance and control of human and animal rabies.

Current WHO Guide for Rabies Pre- and Post-Exposure Treatment in Humans | espaņol

Epidemiological Data on Rabies in the Americas

• SIRVERA, Regional System for Rabies Surveillance in the Americas
• SIEPI, Epidemiological Information System