WHO uploaded video clips to promote proper usage of Biosafety cabinets (BSCs) to the WHO YouTube
site. These visual aids were developed to facilitate local training efforts bearing in mind the
resource-limited settings.
Read more here:
Based on recent WHO guidelines revised in 2018 the Dutch rabies policy advisory board has revised it's
national rabies guidelines. As regards Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-exposure prophylaxis
(PEP) reduced vaccination regimens will be introduced, while it does not change for immunocompromised
patients. The administration of RIG for type III wounds has also been revised accordingly.
Reed more here: Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2019 May 20;163. pii: D3612.
The United States is temporarily suspending importation of dogs from Egypt or dogs originating
in Egypt that are imported from third-party countries, if the dogs have lived in those countries for less than
six months. The measure has been taken as a response to repeated importation of rabid dogs from Egypt
in recent times.
Read more here: Link
It is the first human rabies death in Norway for more than 200 years. A young women was bitten by stray
puppy after she took it back to her holiday resort. She died early this week soon after returning to Norway.
Rabies virus was confirmed as the causative agent.
Read more here: Link
In spite of repeated warnings from many professional bodies over several years the import of dogs, in
particular stray dogs into Norway has continued. The Norwegian parliament is concerned about the
considerable risk of introducing diseases into the country associated with the import and unsatisfactory
health guarantees for these dogs. Norway as the first European country has therefore taken the unusual
step of putting a stop to this and limiting imports.
Today more than ever, zoonotic diseases continue to be a threat to global health, causing millions of
deaths and economic losses every year. Among these zoonotic diseases, rabies is considered neglected.
The three international organisations FAO, OIE and WHO launched a guide entitled ‘Taking a Multisectoral,
One Health Approach: A Tripartite Guide to Addressing Zoonotic Diseases in Countries’.
WHO has just informed that the fifth edition of Laboratory techniques in rabies, Volume 1 & 2 is now
available online. A key reference for laboratories, these books will provide an update on diagnostic
techniques available, development of new tools as well as insight into research on rabies. It will support
countries’ efforts in pursuing zero dog-mediated human rabies death by 2030.
Read more here: Key Documents
WHO released a rapid alert message informing consumers of a Medical Product Alert relating to falsified
Verorab® vaccines that have been identified in the Philippines. This vaccine is used for the prevention of
rabies in children and adults.
Read more here: Link
Rabies has been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in an 65-year-old American
woman who died in 2017 contracted rabies from a puppy bite in India. Six weeks after return the US,
clinical presentation caused misdiagnosis by physicians at the time. Later it was found out that the biting
wound was only washed with water, but no vaccine or immunoglobulins were administered.
