Kando, D. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2026

Laboratory-Based Surveillance of Animal Rabies in the Bono East Region of Ghana: A Six-Year Retrospective Study (2020 - 2025).

BackgroundDog-mediated rabies remains a major neglected tropical disease and an important cause of preventable human mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite ongoing control efforts, limited laboratory-confirmed surveillance data hinder accurate assessment of the disease burden and the development of evidence-based interventions in Ghana. This study investigated the epidemiological characteristics of laboratory-confirmed rabies cases among suspected animal submissions and evaluated the contribution of routine diagnostic surveillance to rabies control. Methodology/Principal FindingsA retrospective analysis was conducted using laboratory surveillance records of suspected rabies cases submitted to a regional veterinary laboratory in Ghana between 2020 and 2025. Brain tissue samples were examined using Sellers staining, the direct fluorescent antibody test (FAT), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Epidemiological information, including animal species, vaccination history, ownership status, bite history, and diagnostic outcomes, was extracted and analysed descriptively. Of the 51 suspected cases examined, 46 (90.2%) were laboratory confirmed as rabies. Domestic dogs accounted for 96.1% of submissions, while cats represented 3.9%. Most suspected animals were either unvaccinated (64.7%) or had unknown vaccination status (33.3%), and 90.2% had reportedly bitten humans before submission. Confirmed cases were detected throughout the study period, indicating sustained viral circulation and continued zoonotic risk within the study area. Conclusions/SignificanceThe consistently high proportion of laboratory-confirmed rabies cases demonstrates persistent transmission of rabies virus among domestic animals and highlights substantial risks to human health. The integration of conventional and advanced laboratory diagnostic methods strengthened surveillance and improved case confirmation. These findings underscore the urgent need to expand dog vaccination coverage, strengthen laboratory-based surveillance, improve bite reporting systems, and enhance collaboration between veterinary and public health sectors. Reinforcing integrated One Health strategies will be essential to accelerate progress towards the global goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030. Author SummaryRabies remains one of the worlds oldest and most devastating zoonotic diseases, which is fatal yet preventable, causing thousands of human deaths each year, particularly in Africa and Asia. In Ghana, domestic dogs are the principal reservoir of the rabies virus, but information on the epidemiology of animal rabies from routine laboratory surveillance is limited in many regions. We reviewed six years (2020 - 2025) of laboratory records from the Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Techiman, Bono East Region, to describe the epidemiological characteristics of suspected animal rabies cases and laboratory-confirmed infections. Of the 51 brain samples submitted for diagnosis, 46 (90.2%) were confirmed positive for rabies. Domestic dogs accounted for almost all submissions, and most confirmed cases involved animals that were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination history. Furthermore, most suspected animals had reportedly bitten humans before laboratory investigation, highlighting the continuing public health risk posed by canine rabies. The study also documents how regional diagnostic capacity was strengthened through collaboration with national reference laboratories, enabling the routine use of internationally recommended diagnostic methods such as the fluorescent antibody test and polymerase chain reaction. These findings provide valuable evidence to support enhanced rabies surveillance, increased mass dog vaccination, improved public awareness, and strengthened One Health collaboration. Such measures are essential for reducing human rabies deaths and supporting Ghanas contribution to the global goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2026

Evaluation of a One Health mass dog rabies vaccination campaign in a resource-limited urban setting: Evidence from Techiman, Ghana

BackgroundDog-mediated rabies remains endemic in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa despite the availability of effective vaccines. Achieving and sustaining at least 70% vaccination coverage in dog populations is widely recognized as essential for interrupting transmission; however, there is limited operational evidence from municipal campaigns conducted in rapidly urbanizing, resource-constrained settings. We evaluated the implementation and outcomes of a One Health-coordinated free mass dog rabies vaccination campaign conducted in September 2024 in Techiman South Metropolitan, Ghana. MethodologyA mixed-methods post-campaign assessment was undertaken two weeks after campaign completion. Quantitative data were collected from 200 dog-owning households using structured questionnaires, and administrative vaccination records were reviewed to estimate overall coverage. In addition, key informant interviews were conducted with veterinary officers, public health professionals, environmental health personnel, and community leaders involved in campaign delivery. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize household participation and awareness indicators, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Principal FindingsAmong surveyed households, 59.5% owned more than one dog and 51.5% reported vaccinating at least one dog during the campaign. Awareness that rabies is fatal increased from 45% (self-reported pre-campaign recall) to 75% after the campaign period, while awareness that rabies is preventable increased from 40% to 70%. Administrative records indicated that approximately 5,600 dogs were vaccinated, corresponding to an estimated 74% metropolitan-level coverage based on projected dog population figures. Stakeholders identified strong multisectoral collaboration and World Rabies Day mobilization as key facilitators. Reported challenges included vaccine supply delays, limited cold-chain capacity, inadequate access for peri-urban communities, and the absence of strategies to vaccinate free-roaming dogs. Conclusions/SignificanceThese findings suggest that short-duration, one-health mass dog vaccination campaigns can achieve target coverage thresholds in resource-limited urban contexts. However, reliance on projected denominators and exclusion of free-roaming dogs may overestimate effective population immunity. Strengthening monitoring systems, decentralizing access, and incorporating structured strategies for free-roaming dog vaccination will be critical for sustaining rabies control and advancing toward elimination goals. AUTHOR SUMMARYRabies is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, yet it can be prevented through vaccination of dogs, which are responsible for nearly all human infections in Africa. Global strategies call for vaccinating at least 70% of dogs each year to stop transmission, but there is limited evidence on how well this works in fast-growing African cities with limited resources. We evaluated a free mass dog rabies vaccination campaign carried out in Techiman, Ghana, using a One Health approach that brought together veterinary services, public health authorities, and community leaders. We interviewed 200 dog-owning households and reviewed official vaccination records. We also spoke with frontline staff involved in the campaign. Official records suggested that roughly three-quarters of the estimated dog population was vaccinated, meeting the recommended coverage threshold. Many households reported improved knowledge about rabies following the campaign. However, not all dog-owning households participated, and free-roaming dogs were not systematically vaccinated. Logistical challenges, including vaccine supply delays and limited access in peri-urban communities, were also identified. Our findings show that coordinated municipal campaigns can reach high vaccination numbers even in resource-limited settings. At the same time, accurate monitoring and inclusion of free-roaming dogs are essential to ensure that reported coverage reflects true protection. Strengthening these components will help Ghana and similar countries move closer to eliminating dog-mediated human rabies.

scientific communication and education↗