Kenya Rabies Control Interactive Report

Crisis Overview

Rabies is endemic in Kenya, causing approximately 2,000 deaths annually. Although it is a fully preventable disease, it remains a major public health threat due to poor vaccine access, low public awareness, and challenges in dog management. This report integrates data from the Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU) to analyze current protocols and future elimination strategies.

2,000+

Annual Deaths

99%

Dog-Mediated Cases

2030

Elimination Target

Transmission Source Analysis

Source: Kenya Zoonotic Disease Unit

Why is this a persistent challenge?

● Broken Vaccine Supply Chain: Clinics in remote areas frequently face stockouts of human rabies vaccines (PEP).
● High Costs: For rural families, the cost of completing a full PEP course can consume a large portion of their monthly income.
● Dog Management: Only a small fraction of domestic dogs are vaccinated, far below the 70% threshold needed to break transmission.

Current Human Health Protocols

Kenya currently follows World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). However, the standard Intramuscular (IM) regimen is costly, and the government is gradually exploring the more economical Intradermal (ID) regimen.

Standard Care Process (Click for Details)

Driver for Protocol Reform: Cost Comparison

Kenya plans to promote Intradermal (ID) injections, which can save approx. 60% of vaccine volume and cost.

Focus: Maasai Pastoralist Community

The Maasai people primarily inhabit the semi-arid regions of Southern Kenya. Their nomadic lifestyle, close relationship with dogs, and geographic isolation create unique challenges for rabies control. This group is a key target for "One Health" interventions.

Human-Dog Relationship & Risks

In Maasai communities, dogs are not just pets but essential tools for protecting livestock from predators. This leads to high human-dog contact rates. Due to scattered settlements (Bomas), logistics for Mass Dog Vaccination (MDV) are extremely difficult.

Barriers to Healthcare Access

After a bite, finding transport to the nearest clinic with PEP stock can take hours or days. Indirect costs (transport, lost labor) often exceed the cost of the treatment itself.

Case Study: Narok County

Avg Dogs per Household 5.2 Dogs

National Average: ~1.3 Dogs

Healthcare Resource Gap Analysis

National Avg Maasai Area

Future Strategy & 2030 Plan

The Kenyan government has developed a strategy to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 using a "One Health" approach. Core pillars include: increasing dog vaccination coverage, improving surveillance, and making PEP affordable and accessible.

Prediction Model: Impact of Dog Vaccination

Target: 70% Dog Vaccination Coverage

Data shows that maintaining a 70% dog vaccination rate will cause human rabies cases to drop sharply to near zero within 5-7 years.

1. Promote Intradermal (ID)

Shift from Intramuscular to Intradermal injections to reduce vaccine costs by 60-80%, allowing the government to procure more doses for remote areas.

2. Integrated Bite Case Management (IBCM)

Establish links between health and veterinary sectors. When hospitals receive bite patients, vets are notified to trace and control the rabid dog at the source.

3. Community Surveillance

Train community health volunteers in Maasai areas to use SMS reporting for suspected cases, resolving surveillance blind spots.