Rabies in the Tropics

Rabies-as in former times-is still today a major killer affecting man and animals especially in many tropical and sub-tropical countries of Asia, Africa and South America. Some 50,000 people and literally millions of animals suffer and die of this disease each year. This dramatic death toll and the enormous economic losses which ensue are nowadays un tolerable and no longer justified. Worldwide strategy for Rabies control has been established and the World Health Organization recently formulated an elimination programme for dog Rabies. Methods for wildlife Rabies control are also under way. For the realisation of control campaigns, careful epid- emiological analysis is necessary. This involves: - antigenical characterisation of Rabies Virus Strains using monoclonal antibodies, - observation of foci, - follow-up of the front wave of the disease, - specific ecology of target populations and Rabies carrier species. The financial point of view of such campaigns has of course to be ascertained. It is for the first time ever that representatives and specialists of different biological disciplines from nearly 70 countries have had the opportunity in Tunis to discuss these important issues and to evaluate, on the basis of their own experimental results and personal epidemiological observations, the possibility of ultimate elimination of Rabies in tropical and sub-tropical countries and also to contribute their share for a better understanding of the natural history of this disease.