Rabies at human-livestock-wildlife interface and its control through One Health approach in Ethiopia

Abstract Rabies is a viral infection that can be transmitted between all types of mammals and is found worldwide. It poses a particular threat to endangered wildlife species due to its high mortality rates. In Ethiopia, rabies is a common and concerning issue in both urban and rural areas due to the presence of stray dogs and various wild carnivores. The disease is a significant public health problem in many parts of the country, with dogs playing a key role as carriers of the virus to humans, livestock, and wild animals. Approximately 97,000 individuals in Ethiopia need post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) annually, which amounts to a healthcare expenditure of around $2 million a year. Additionally, there are approximately 3000 human fatalities caused by rabies infections. A panel of human, animal, and environmental health experts has identified rabies as the top zoonotic disease priority in Ethiopia. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to review rabies at the human-livestock-wildlife interface and emphasize the importance of a One Health approach for controlling the disease in Ethiopia. One Health impact statement This review analyzes the relationship between environmental, animal, and human health in tackling rabies at Ethiopia’s human-livestock-wildlife interface. Policy makers, veterinarians, public health experts, and wildlife conservationists can all benefit from the findings. Examining the One Health approach to rabies control, the study demonstrates how integrated approaches from the veterinary, environmental, and human sectors can lower the spread of rabies, stop human fatalities, and safeguard populations of livestock and wildlife. The development of sustainable, culturally relevant solutions that enhance health outcomes, lower economic losses, and preserve biodiversity has been made possible by the collaboration of these sectors, as well as feedback from local communities and indigenous knowledge. This transdisciplinary approach has resulted in the co-development of practical, context-specific strategies, demonstrating how collaboration can achieve outcomes that individual sectors alone cannot. The review emphasizes One Health’s transformative potential for improving public health and environmental sustainability in Ethiopia.