Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2022
Rabies Vaccination in Dogs in Laos: Owner Knowledge and Serological Status of Dogs
Velander, Lovisa; Fogelberg, Johanna; Putthana, Vannaphone; Keosengthong, Amphone; Lindahl, Johanna FridaAbstract
Rabies is an infectious disease which is virtually 100% fatal. Humans are most often infected through the bite of an infected dog, and most cases could be prevented by vaccinating dogs. However, vaccination coverage is insufficient in most countries where canine rabies occurs endemically. This study conducted interviews and sampling of dogs in Laos to understand more about the barriers for vaccination and to evaluate the antibody status of dogs using a commercial ELISA. The study found that only 62% out of 359 dog owners knew what rabies was, and only 24% knew the disease could be fatal. Higher education was associated with higher knowledge scores. Only 56 out of 437 (13%) dogs had been rabies vaccinated according to their owner, and out of these dogs, only 34 (61%) had antibodies, and only 48% had adequate levels (above 0.5 IU/mL). However, 24% of the dogs with no known history of vaccination had antibodies, indicating either exposure or vaccination in the past without the owner's awareness. In conclusion, this study indicates that there is a low level of knowledge about rabies, and that owner knowledge is not a good indicator of whether a dog is vaccinated or not.Keywords
neglected tropical diseases; rabies virus; vaccination program; eradication; knowledge; attitudes and practicesPublished in
Pathogens2022, volume: 11, number: 1, article number: 69
Publisher: MDPI
Authors' information
Velander, Lovisa
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences
Fogelberg, Johanna
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences
Putthana, Vannaphone
National University of Laos
Keosengthong, Amphone
National University of Laos
Lindahl, Johanna Frida (Lindahl, Johanna Frida)
Uppsala University
Lindahl, Johanna Frida (Lindahl, Johanna Frida)
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG3 Good health and well-being
UKÄ Subject classification
Clinical Science
Pathobiology
Publication Identifiers
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11010069
URI (permanent link to this page)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/116323