KEMRI and UON Launch Campaign to Boost Rabies Awareness Among Primary School Learners.

Rabies remains a formidable public health challenge in Kenya, ranking among the top five priority zoonotic diseases and causing approximately 523 deaths annually. Despite being entirely preventable, rabies continues to claim tens of thousands of lives each year, particularly in Asia and Africa. Alarmingly, 40 percent of these deaths occur in children under 15 years old, with boys often being the most affected.

Preventing rabies requires a multifaceted approach that includes dog population management, community education, vaccination, rabies surveillance, and proper food waste management. However, the persistent high incidence of rabies related deaths highlights the urgent need for more effective strategies to raise awareness and promote prevention measures.

Recognizing the potential impact of education, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), through ESACIPAC, has previously demonstrated the effectiveness of school based health programs in fostering behavior change within communities. Building on this success, KEMRI, in collaboration with the University of Nairobi (UON), has launched a new initiative aimed at enhancing rabies awareness among primary school learners in Machakos County.

The study, led by a dedicated team of experts including Dr. Gertrude Shepelo, Dr. Christine Mbindyo, and Dr. Felix Kibegwa from UON, alongside Dr. Paul Gichuki from KEMRI, seeks to empower young learners with knowledge about rabies, its consequences, and effective control strategies.

By targeting schoolchildren, who are disproportionately affected by rabies, the initiative aims to instill lifelong preventive behaviors that can significantly reduce the incidence of this deadly disease.

The campaign will involve a comprehensive educational program tailored to the needs of primary school learners, focusing on the importance of rabies vaccination, safe interaction with animals, and the critical role of proper waste management in preventing the spread of the disease.

By equipping teachers and students with the necessary knowledge and skills, the initiative hopes to create a ripple effect, where informed children can influence their families and communities, thereby contributing to a broader public health impact.

This collaborative effort between KEMRI and UON underscores the importance of education in combating zoonotic diseases like rabies. Through innovative schoolbased programs, the project aims to create a new generation of informed citizens who are better equipped to prevent rabies and protect their communities from its devastating effects.