Rabies: A Comprehensive Review of Virology, Prevention Strategies, a Focus on Thailand

Abstract

Rabies is a zoonotic disease with a nearly 100% fatality rate once symptoms appear. Although it is entirely preventable, it remains a significant public health concern in many countries—especially in low- and middle-income nations, including Thailand. In Thailand, domestic dogs are the primary carriers, responsible for over 99% of human rabies cases. Key challenges include insufficient dog vaccination coverage, limited access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and inadequate public awareness. This study reviews current knowledge on rabies virology, epidemiology, and prevention strategies, with a focus on Thailand's context and the application of the One Health concept, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health. Data were drawn from academic databases and reports from the WHO and CDC. Between October 2022 and October 2023, 337 confirmed rabies cases in animals and four human deaths were reported in Thailand. While some areas achieved over 80% dog vaccination coverage, nationwide implementation remains inconsistent. The One Health approach shows strong potential to address these systemic issues. Effective rabies control in Thailand will require widespread vaccination, improved public education, better access to PEP, and sustained cross-sector collaboration to achieve the global goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.