In the event that vaccination teams encounter a suspected rabid animal, it is crucial to ensure the safety of both the vaccination team personnel and the community, while facilitating proper reporting and management of the incident.
Below are the recommended actions to be implemented regardless of the presence of the local formal provision of a Rabies Rapid Response Team (Rabies RRT):
Avoid contact
Vaccination Team members should not try to touch or restrain the suspected rabid animal. Direct handling without appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be avoided. It is also important to ensure that the members of the public do not touch the animal. Where possible, an attempt should be made to confine the animal in a manner which would not put humans in danger – such as using barriers or enclosures to restrict the animal’s movement.
Report the incident
Report the suspect animal to Campaign Leadership immediately. The Campaign Leadership then coordinates with the local rabies surveillance systems (e.g. Rabies RRT) and the Campaign Lead. In the presence of an IBCM programme in the area, wait for a contact from IBCM Supervisor to assist the investigation. Vaccination Team will be allowed to leave with the confirmation of local campaign leadership, or IBCM Supervisor.