Routine health information system and health facility data for neglected tropical diseases: rabies
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World Health Organization
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vi, 43 p.
This technical guidance document provides recommendations for the collection, analysis and use of routine health information system and health facility data related to rabies, a vaccine-preventable zoonotic disease that is almost invariably fatal once clinical symptoms appear. It aims to support countries in strengthening surveillance systems, improving data quality and enhancing evidence-based decision-making for rabies control and elimination. The publication outlines key epidemiological aspects of rabies, including patterns of transmission—predominantly through dog bites—and its global burden, particularly in regions where underreporting remains significant. It presents standardized case definitions, core and additional indicators, and guidance for case-based reporting and risk assessment at the health facility level, supported by decision tools and standardized data collection instruments. The document also addresses essential dimensions of data quality, such as completeness, timeliness and consistency, and proposes analytical approaches to monitor trends, assess programme performance and inform interventions. Intended for health workers, programme managers, epidemiologists and data specialists, this resource supports the systematic use of high-quality data to guide national strategies, improve access to appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis and track progress towards the global goal of eliminating human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 within a One Health framework.
This technical guidance document provides recommendations for the collection, analysis and use of routine health information system and health facility data related to rabies, a vaccine-preventable zoonotic disease that is almost invariably fatal once clinical symptoms appear. It aims to support countries in strengthening surveillance systems, improving data quality and enhancing evidence-based decision-making for rabies control and elimination. The publication outlines key epidemiological aspects of rabies, including patterns of transmission—predominantly through dog bites—and its global burden, particularly in regions where underreporting remains significant. It presents standardized case definitions, core and additional indicators, and guidance for case-based reporting and risk assessment at the health facility level, supported by decision tools and standardized data collection instruments. The document also addresses essential dimensions of data quality, such as completeness, timeliness and consistency, and proposes analytical approaches to monitor trends, assess programme performance and inform interventions. Intended for health workers, programme managers, epidemiologists and data specialists, this resource supports the systematic use of high-quality data to guide national strategies, improve access to appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis and track progress towards the global goal of eliminating human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 within a One Health framework.
Keywords
Neglected Diseases, Rabies, Bites and Stings, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, Vaccination, Immunization, Passive, Rabies Vaccines, Health Information Systems, Health Facilities, Risk Assessment, Epidemiological Monitoring, Data Collection, Data Accuracy, Quality of Health Care, Decision Trees, Guideline, diagnosis, epidemiology, prevention and control, therapeutic use, statistics and numerical data