Rabies—Global Challenges, Societal Perspectives, and Case Studies

Dear Colleagues,

Rabies remains one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases globally, with an almost 100% case fatality rate once symptoms appear. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, rabies continues to claim tens of thousands of lives each year, particularly in low-resource settings. To date, rabies research has yielded significant findings in areas such as diagnostics, treatment, virology, and vaccine strategies through numerous studies. However, relatively few research collections have focused on topics such as international efforts and policies for rabies elimination, socioeconomic aspects, or case studies from each country and region. Such information is valuable not only to academic researchers but also to a wide range of stakeholders, including frontline rabies healthcare providers involved in prevention and treatment, policymakers responsible for public health and rabies elimination strategy, and donors and NGO personnel supporting countries with limited resources. The dissemination of this knowledge can thus have a substantial societal impact. Therefore, we welcome the submission of original research articles, reviews, and case reports from the following three areas:

1. Global Overview and Public Health Challenges: Submissions should explore the current epidemiology of rabies worldwide, including barriers to elimination and the effectiveness of global health strategies, such as those promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international bodies, as well as policy analyses.
2. Societal, Ethical, and Educational Dimensions: Rabies prevention and control efforts are deeply embedded in social, economic, and ethical contexts; therefore, papers that examine public awareness, health education, community engagement, and the ethical dilemmas associated with animal control measures are desirable. Studies on misinformation, stigma, and cultural perceptions are also highly relevant.
3. Field-Based and Regional Case Studies: Detailed case studies from the field—whether urban or rural, or endemic or newly affected areas—are highly beneficial. Reports on outbreaks, successful intervention programs, and community-driven prevention strategies are particularly encouraged. These contributions will help bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Through this collection, we aim to shed light on the multifaceted nature of rabies and promote interdisciplinary dialog toward its global elimination.

Dr. Koji Kanda
Guest Editor

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• epidemiology
• policy analyses
• surveillance
• public awareness
• health education
• community engagement
• ethical dilemmas