ប្រែទៅជាភាសាខ្មែរMission Rabies Cambodia
Since 2019, Mission Rabies Cambodia has been an ongoing project jointly executed by the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, alongside the Worldwide Veterinary Service and Animal Rescue Cambodia. Collaborations with various stakeholders, such as the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge and Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society for Integrated Bite Case Management (IBCM), are crucial for the project's success.
Partners and Stakeholders
The mission to eliminate canine-mediated human rabies deaths in Cambodia is a huge collaborative effort between local and international organisations, each contributing their time, expertise, finance, personnel, or infrastructure. We are incredibly grateful to all of the organisations and individuals involved in this endeavour. Find out more about our partners below.
Animal Rescue Cambodia (ARC)
ARC is the implementing partner of the Mission Rabies Cambodia project. ARC expertly handles the in-country budget and project logistics, facilitates government liaison, and employs key personnel. Their contributions are essential in ensuring the smooth operation of the campaigns.
ARC's responsibilities include the in-country management of the 2023 mass canine rabies vaccination drive, and since 2020 the IBCM project implementation within Phnom Penh. Their experience and expertise have consistently contributed to the success of these initiatives.
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
During the 2023 campaign, GIZ facilitated a significant opportunity for professional development and knowledge exchange. Ten members from the Battambang Provincial Office of Animal Health and Production were sponsored to visit the Phnom Penh Project for a three-day period. During their visit, they actively collaborated with the team leaders, gaining practical and theoretical experience in managing mass canine vaccination campaigns. This hands-on experience equipped them with valuable skills that they can now apply to their own projects, contributing to the enhancement of rabies control and prevention measures.
Under the Global Programme on Prevention and Response, One Health, GIZ has been dedicated to expanding rabies control and prevention initiatives in Cambodia. Their efforts encompass various areas, including government-led Integrated Bite Case Management (IBCM), provision of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), establishment of laboratory facilities, development of a sample transport network, and implementation of rabies education and awareness activities. Through these comprehensive measures, GIZ is actively working towards strengthening rabies control and prevention efforts while fostering a collaborative approach that promotes the health and well-being of both humans and animals.
The General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (GDAHP)
GDAHP played a pivotal role in overseeing all aspects of the planning and execution of the 2023 project. They successfully obtained all necessary local and national permissions required to conduct the campaign and effectively coordinated the involvement of students from the veterinary universities. GDAHP also identified and managed the use of hub locations, with five dedicated staff members stationed at the Royal University of Agriculture hub. These staff members worked closely with the international team, assuming the crucial role of team leaders for the project.
Furthermore, GDAHP demonstrated their agility and resourcefulness by swiftly mobilising additional resources, enabling the expansion of project operations into select districts of Kandal Province. This proactive approach further enhanced the reach and impact of the campaign.
Beyond the mass dog vaccination campaign, GDAHP assumes responsibility for managing all animal-related rabies control efforts throughout Cambodia, including the IBCM projects in Phnom Penh and Battambang. Their expertise and involvement extend beyond this specific initiative, showcasing their ongoing commitment to rabies control and prevention within the country.
The Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC)
IPC plays a vital role as the primary provider of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in Cambodia. Their dedicated efforts resulted in vaccinating over 43,000 individuals against rabies in 2021 alone. Additionally, IPC operates the sole rabies diagnostic laboratory within the country, serving a critical role in rabies detection and surveillance.
IPC collaborates closely with the Mission Rabies Cambodia project, particularly in processing samples brought in by the IBCM Field Officer. Their expertise and facilities contribute significantly to the accurate diagnosis of rabies cases and the collection of essential data for the initial IBCM investigation.
MSD Animal Health
MSD Animal Health, a dedicated supporter of Mission Rabies projects since 2013, played a crucial role in the success of our 2023 campaign by providing 121,500 doses of Nobivac Rabies. Their generous contribution of vaccines, including management and sponsorship of the shipping into Cambodia, was instrumental in the vaccination efforts to combat rabies within the country.
The National Institute of Public Health, Ministry of Health (NIPH-MoH)
NIPH (National Institute of Public Health) played a crucial role in the successful delivery of pre-exposure vaccinations sponsored by Mission Rabies for the 2023 campaign. Their dedicated efforts ensured that all individuals who required these vaccinations, including the students of RUA (Royal University of Agriculture) and PLNIA (Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture) as well as the staff of PDAFF (Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries) and GDAHP, received the necessary protection against rabies.
Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society (PPAWS)
PPAWS (Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society) is an invaluable asset to the Rabies Rapid Response Team, which was established in October 2020 as an integral part of the Phnom Penh IBCM, project. The highly trained staff at PPAWS play a vital role in responding to reported rabid animals across the province, working alongside the GDAHP IBCM Field Officer. Their dedication is crucial in effectively managing and addressing rabies cases within the project area.
PPAWS has been a key player in the fight against rabies in Cambodia, having played a pivotal role in the pilot canine rabies vaccination project in 2019. Their involvement in that initiative laid the essential groundwork and provided valuable insights for the 2023 project. Moreover, PPAWS took on an essential leadership role within this project, serving as team leaders responsible for managing a team of vaccination units.
Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture (PLNIA)
PLNIA (Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture) played a pivotal role in facilitating the participation of 43 students in the 2023 project, furthering their engagement and practical experience in the field of rabies control. As an educational institution, PLNIA recognised the significance of providing students with hands-on opportunities to contribute to real-world projects. Their coordination and organisation ensured that these students had a valuable learning experience while actively supporting the campaign. By involving students, PLNIA not only empowered the next generation of professionals in the field but also fostered a culture of awareness and responsibility towards rabies control within the academic community.
Furthermore, PLNIA's strategic location as a hub allowed for efficient coordination and streamlined operations, enabling the project team to effectively distribute resources, manage teams, and implement vaccination campaigns.
Through their active involvement in student engagement, hub operations, and hosting the opening ceremony, PLNIA showcased its dedication to advancing education, research, and collaboration in the field of agriculture and animal health. Their contributions greatly enhanced the overall success of the 2023 project.
The Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kandal Province (K-PDAFF)
K-PDAFF staff played a crucial role in the final stages of the 2023 project by mobilising their staff to support the expansion into districts neighbouring Phnom Penh Province. During the last two days of our mass dog vaccination drive, these dedicated staff members worked diligently to ensure the smooth implementation of the campaign in these areas. They collaborated closely with local village chiefs, establishing effective communication channels, and fostering community engagement. As overseers of the vaccination units within their assigned regions, K-PDAFF staff members played a vital role in coordinating and supervising the operations on the ground.
The Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Phnom Penh Province (PP-PDAFF)
PP-PDAFF (Phnom Penh Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries) played a pivotal role in the project by providing the necessary infrastructure and support for 36 vaccination units operating from their offices. These vaccination units, led by six dedicated PDAFF team leaders, worked in close collaboration with the international team leaders to ensure the smooth execution of the campaign.
Through their active participation and collaboration with the international team leaders, PP-PDAFF contributed significantly to the overall success of the project, playing a key role in protecting communities against rabies and promoting public health within Phnom Penh Province.
The Royal University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (RUA)
RUA (Royal University of Agriculture) played a pivotal role in the 2023 project by mobilising a remarkable team of 207 student volunteers who enthusiastically contributed their time and efforts. As one of the hub venues, RUA provided a central and conducive location for the project's operations. Each day, 60 vaccination units, organised into five teams, convened at the Small Animal Teaching Unit on the RUA campus. This hub served as a dynamic meeting point where the teams met their dedicated team leaders, received essential equipment, maps, and instructions for the day's activities, and embarked on their mission to vaccinate dogs. The participation of RUA's student volunteers showcased their commitment to community service and their dedication to promoting public health. Their active involvement not only enhanced the project's capacity but also provided invaluable learning opportunities and practical experience in the field of veterinary medicine and public health.
The School Health Department, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (SHD-MoEYS)
SHD-MoEYS played a vital role in the 2023 campaign by assisting in the development of informative flyers on rabies education and awareness. They utilised school communication networks to inform students about the vaccination campaign, ensuring widespread dissemination of important information.
United States Centers for Disease Control and Protection, Rabies and Poxvirus Branch (US-CDC)
The US-CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has been a valuable collaborative partner alongside the Worldwide Veterinary Service in the development of smart phone tools utilised in this project (WVS App) and the IBCM initiative (REACT). Additionally, the US-CDC has provided open-access planning tools for rabies vaccination campaigns (VaxPLAN), which have greatly aided in the planning process of this campaign. Furthermore, the project was enriched by the participation of two experienced rabies experts from the US-CDC, who joined as team leaders, bringing their valuable knowledge and skills to the project.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Thanks to WHO for their support and guidance, enabling us to take all steps to ensure consistency with WHO technical recommendations.
Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS)
Mission Rabies is a project of Worldwide Veterinary Service, an international animal welfare charity, that has been actively involved in rabies control efforts in Cambodia since 2019. WVS initially launched a pilot canine rabies vaccination project in two districts, Mean Chey and Chbar Ampov, within Phnom Penh Province. Building on this experience, in October 2020, WVS established the Integrated Bite Case Management (IBCM) Project in Phnom Penh, in collaboration with local stakeholders dedicated to combating rabies.
With their extensive expertise gained from successfully conducting numerous mass canine rabies vaccination campaigns worldwide, WVS brought valuable knowledge and insights to the planning and implementation of this project. To support the campaign, 40 dedicated staff members from WVS across various locations, including Thailand, India, Malawi, Galapagos, and the UK, joined forces, demonstrating their commitment to making a meaningful impact in the fight against rabies in Cambodia.
Through their collaborative efforts, WVS has played a significant role in advancing rabies control measures, leveraging their global experience and resources to support and enhance the effectiveness of local initiatives in Cambodia.
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