Dog mediated rabies is the main cause of human rabies and is globally responsible for
approximately 60 000 human deaths per year. Most cases occur in Africa and Asia, with
children being most affected. Timely administration of three subsequent rabies
vaccinations
and a single antibody administration would entirely prevent human deaths. However, post
exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is often unavailable due to deficient rabies vaccine supply
chains, with acute vaccine shortage at health centers. Further reasons are a high
non-compliance of patients and an inadequate communication between public health and
veterinary services, which leads to wastage of expensive and scarce vaccines.
The main objective of the BlockRabies project is to strengthen weak rabies health care
systems in Africa, resulting in higher vaccination coverage of exposed patients and thus
the
prevention of human rabies deaths. This research project is funded through the European
and
Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) and runs
from 2020-2025
.
Core element of the project is the BlockRabies App, which combines the public
health
sector, the veterinary sector, the Health information system (HIS) and the vaccine
supply
chain. Every patient bitten by a rabies suspected animal receives an electronic health
record (EHR). In parallel, the veterinary authorities record the biting animal and
immediately communicate the rabies status of the involved animal to the physician
treating
the bite victim, thus minimizing wastage of limited vaccine supplies. The BlockRabies
application also sends vaccination reminders to patients by cell phone. In the vaccine
supply chain, the Blockchain (BC) secured system allows supply chain stakeholders,
vaccine
distributors and health workers to monitor vaccine status and ensure vaccine is
available
when and where needed. Especially in contexts with lack of trust in the institutions and
unreliable information systems, BC technology offers many advantages. Data is stored in
a
decentralized, highly transparent manner and cannot be easily modified.
BlockRabies App, which is currently tested in Mali and Côte d’Ivoire has the potential to be
implemented globally and be extended to other zoonotic diseases.