Rabies Research

fueling rabies prevention and innovation

Our work is grounded in rigorous, peer-reviewed research conducted in the communities we serve. From vaccine innovation to community-based delivery models, these publications highlight the evidence driving our strategy and shaping the future of rabies prevention worldwide.

2025

Optimising human rabies vaccine supply chains: A modelling study

Luka, M. M., Ferguson, E. A., Rees, E., Hoffu, H., Changalucha, J., Lushasi, K., Sikana, L., Mutunga, M., Thumbi, S. M., & Hampson, K. (2025). Optimising human rabies vaccine supply chains: A modelling study. Vaccine, 54, 127108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127108

2024

A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of a community-based rabies vaccination strategy

Lankester, F., Lugelo, A., Changalucha, J., Anderson, D., Tetteh Duamor, C., Czupryna, A., et al. (2024). A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of a community-based rabies vaccination strategy. bioRxiv, 1–23.

Performance pay increases dog vaccinations to reduce human rabies

Lankester, F., Manian, S., & Yoder, J. (2024). Performance pay increases dog vaccinations to reduce human rabies. World Bank Economic Review, 00(0), 1–16.

Harnessing hi-tech solutions to meet One Health challenges

Lankester, F., Broughton-Neiswanger, L. E., Holder, L. B., Driskell, R. R., & Lugelo, A. (2024). Harnessing hi-tech solutions to meet One Health challenges. American Journal of Veterinary Research. Advance online publication.

Molecular characterisation of human rabies in Tanzania and Kenya: A case series report and phylogenetic investigation

Jaswant, G., Campbell, K., Czupryna, A., Mwatondo, A., Ogoti, B., Embregts, C. W. E., et al. (2024). Molecular characterisation of human rabies in Tanzania and Kenya: A case series report and phylogenetic investigation. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 13(1), 79. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-024-01245-w

Geographic distribution of rabies virus and genomic sequence alignment of wild and vaccine strains, Kenya

Wambugu, E. N., Kimita, G., Kituyi, S. N., Washington, M. A., Masakhwe, C., Mutunga, L. M., et al. (2024). Geographic distribution of rabies virus and genomic sequence alignment of wild and vaccine strains, Kenya. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 30(8), 1642–1650. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3008.230876

2023

Testing novel facial recognition technology to identify dogs during vaccination campaigns

Czupryna, A. M., Estepho, M., Lugelo, A., Bigambo, M., Sambo, M., Changalucha, J., et al. (2023). Testing novel facial recognition technology to identify dogs during vaccination campaigns. Scientific Reports, 13, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49522-2

Evaluation of an iELISA for detection and quantification of rabies antibodies in domestic dog sera

Lugelo, A., Hampson, K., McElhinney, L. M., & Lankester, F. (2023). Evaluation of an iELISA for detection and quantification of rabies antibodies in domestic dog sera. Vaccine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.09.004

Integrating a community-based continuous mass dog vaccination delivery strategy into the veterinary system of Tanzania: A process evaluation using normalization process theory

Tetteh Duamor, C., Hampson, K., Lankester, F., Lugelo, A., Changalucha, J., Selestin, K., et al. (2023). Integrating a community-based continuous mass dog vaccination delivery strategy into the veterinary system of Tanzania: A process evaluation using normalization process theory. One Health, 17, 100575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100575

Effect of phone text message reminders on compliance with rabies post-exposure prophylaxis following dog bites in rural Kenya

Chuchu, V. M., Mutono, N., Bichanga, P., Kitala, P. M., Ksee, D., Muturi, M., et al. (2023). Effect of phone text message reminders on compliance with rabies post-exposure prophylaxis following dog bites in rural Kenya. Vaccines, 11(6), 1112. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11061112

United Against Rabies Forum: The first 2 years

Tidman, R., Fahrion, A. S., Thumbi, S. M., Wallace, R. M., De Balogh, K., Iwar, V., et al. (2023). United Against Rabies Forum: The first 2 years. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1010071. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1010071

2022

Participation in mass dog vaccination campaigns in Tanzania: Benefits of community engagement

Duamor, C. T., Lankester, F., Mpolya, E., Ferguson, E. A., Johnson, P. C. D., Wyke, S., et al. (2022). Participation in mass dog vaccination campaigns in Tanzania: Benefits of community engagement. Frontiers in Public Health, 1–16.

Development of dog vaccination strategies to maintain herd immunity against rabies

Lugelo, A., Hampson, K., Ferguson, E. A., Czupryna, A., Bigambo, M., Duamor, C. T., et al. (2022). Development of dog vaccination strategies to maintain herd immunity against rabies. Viruses, 14(4), 1–17.

Delays in initiating rabies post-exposure prophylaxis among dog bite victims in Wakiso and Kampala districts, Uganda

Kisaka, S., Makumbi, F., Majalija, S., Bahizi, G., & Thumbi, S. M. (2022). Delays in initiating rabies post-exposure prophylaxis among dog bite victims in Wakiso and Kampala districts, Uganda. AAS Open Research, 4, 49. https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13311.3

A call to accelerate an end to human rabies deaths

Thumbi, S. M., Blumberg, L., le Roux, K., Salahuddin, N., & Abela, B. (2022). A call to accelerate an end to human rabies deaths. The Lancet, 400(10369), 2261–2264. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)02487-4

United Against Rabies Forum: The One Health concept at work

Tidman, R., Thumbi, S. M., Wallace, R., de Balogh, K., Iwar, V., Dieuzy-Labaye, I., et al. (2022). United Against Rabies Forum: The One Health concept at work. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 854419. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.854419

Rabies elimination in rural Kenya: Need for improved availability of human vaccines, awareness and knowledge on rabies and its management among healthcare workers

Chuchu, V. M., Kitala, P. M., Bichanga, P., Ksee, D., Muturi, M., Mwatondo, A., et al. (2022). Rabies elimination in rural Kenya: Need for improved availability of human vaccines, awareness and knowledge on rabies and its management among healthcare workers. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 769898. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.769898

2021

Investigating the efficacy of a canine rabies vaccine following storage outside of the cold-chain in a passive cooling device

Lugelo, A., Hampson, K., Czupryna, A., Bigambo, M., McElhinney, L., Marston, D. A., et al. (2021). Investigating the efficacy of a canine rabies vaccine following storage outside of the cold-chain in a passive cooling device. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 1–9.

Use of lay vaccinators in animal vaccination programmes: A scoping review

Duamor, C. T., Hampson, K., Lankester, F., Sambo, M., Kreppel, K., Wyke, S., et al. (2021). Use of lay vaccinators in animal vaccination programmes: A scoping review. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 15(8), e0009691. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009691

Human rabies: Prospects for elimination

Changalucha, J., Hampson, K., Jaswant, G., Lankester, F., & Yoder, J. (2021). Human rabies: Prospects for elimination. CAB Reviews, 16(039).

Assessing the practicalities of joint snakebite and dog rabies control programs: Commonalities and potential pitfalls

Scott, T. P., Sharma, S. K., Wallace, R. M., Nel, L. H., Adhikari, S. K., Abela-Ridder, B., & Thumbi, S. M. (2021). Assessing the practicalities of joint snakebite and dog rabies control programs: Commonalities and potential pitfalls. Toxicon X, 12, 100084. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100084

“As long as the patient tells you it was a dog that bit him, why do you need to know more?” A qualitative study of how healthcare workers apply clinical guidelines to treat dog bite injuries in selected hospitals in Uganda

Kisaka, S., Makumbi, F. E., Majalija, S., Kagaha, A., & Thumbi, S. M. (2021). “As long as the patient tells you it was a dog that bit him, why do you need to know more?” A qualitative study of how healthcare workers apply clinical guidelines to treat dog bite injuries in selected hospitals in Uganda. PLOS ONE, 16(7), e0254650. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254650

2020

Controlling human rabies: The development of an effective, inexpensive and locally made passive cooling device for storing thermotolerant animal rabies vaccines

Lugelo, A., Hampson, K., Bigambo, M., Kazwala, R., & Lankester, F. (2020). Controlling human rabies: The development of an effective, inexpensive and locally made passive cooling device for storing thermotolerant animal rabies vaccines. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 5(130).

One Health in practice: Using integrated bite case management to increase detection of rabid animals in Tanzania

Lushasi, K., Steenson, R., Bernard, J., Changalucha, J. J., Nicodem, J., Haydon, D., et al. (2020). One Health in practice: Using integrated bite case management to increase detection of rabid animals in Tanzania. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 1–10.

Portable rabies virus sequencing in canine rabies endemic countries using the Oxford Nanopore MinION

Gigante, C. M., Yale, G., Condori, R. E., Costa, N. C., Long, N. V., Minh, P. Q., et al. (2020). Portable rabies virus sequencing in canine rabies endemic countries using the Oxford Nanopore MinION. Viruses, 12(11), 1255. https://doi.org/10.3390/v12111255

Rapid in-country sequencing of whole virus genomes to inform rabies elimination programmes

Brunker, K., Jaswant, G., Thumbi, S. M., Lushasi, K., Lugelo, A., Czupryna, A. M., et al. (2020). Rapid in-country sequencing of whole virus genomes to inform rabies elimination programmes. Wellcome Open Research, 5, 3. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15518.2

2019

Rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin supply and logistics: Challenges and opportunities for rabies elimination in Kenya

Wambura, G., Mwatondo, A., Muturi, M., Nasimiyu, C., Wentworth, D., Hampson, K., Bichanga, P., Tabu, C., Juma, S., Ngere, I., & Thumbi, S. M. (2019). Rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin supply and logistics: Challenges and opportunities for rabies elimination in Kenya. Vaccine, 37(Suppl 1), A28–A34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.05.035

An integrated health delivery platform, targeting soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and canine mediated human rabies, results in cost savings and increased breadth of treatment for STH in remote communities in Tanzania

Lankester, F., Davis, A., Kinung, S., Yoder, J., Bunga, C., Alkara, S., et al. (2019). An integrated health delivery platform, targeting soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and canine mediated human rabies, results in cost savings and increased breadth of treatment for STH in remote communities in Tanzania. BMC Public Health, 19(1398), 1–12.

Healthcare demand in response to rabies elimination campaigns in Latin America

Yoder, J., Younce, E., Lankester, F., & Palmer, G. H. (2019). Healthcare demand in response to rabies elimination campaigns in Latin America. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 13(9), e0007630. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007630

Carnivore parvovirus ecology in the Serengeti ecosystem: Vaccine strains circulating and new host species identified

Calatayud, O., Esperón, F., Cleaveland, S., Biek, R., Keyyu, U., Eblate, E., et al. (2019). Carnivore parvovirus ecology in the Serengeti ecosystem: Vaccine strains circulating and new host species identified. Journal of Virology, 93(13), 1–18.

Transmission ecology of canine parvovirus in a multi-host, multi-pathogen system

Behdenna, A., Lembo, T., Calatayud, O., Cleaveland, S., Halliday, J. E. B., Packer, C. P., et al. (2019). Transmission ecology of canine parvovirus in a multi-host, multi-pathogen system. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

Overview of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis access, procurement and distribution in selected countries in Asia and Africa, 2017–2018

Sreenivasan, N., Li, A., Shiferaw, M., Tran, C. H., Wallace, R., Blanton, J., et al. (2019). Overview of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis access, procurement and distribution in selected countries in Asia and Africa, 2017–2018. Vaccine, 37(Suppl 1), A6–A13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.04.024

A social justice perspective on access to human rabies vaccines

Wentworth, D., Hampson, K., Thumbi, S. M., Mwatondo, A., Wambura, G., & Chng, N. R. (2019). A social justice perspective on access to human rabies vaccines. Vaccine, 37(Suppl 1), A3–A5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.01.065

A hundred years of rabies in Kenya and the strategy for eliminating dog-mediated rabies by 2030

Bitek, A. O., Osoro, E., Munyua, P. M., Nanyingi, M., Muthiani, Y., Kiambi, S., et al. (2019). A hundred years of rabies in Kenya and the strategy for eliminating dog-mediated rabies by 2030. AAS Open Research, 1, 23. https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.12872.2

The potential effect of improved provision of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in Gavi-eligible countries: A modelling study

WHO Rabies Modelling Consortium. (2019). The potential effect of improved provision of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in Gavi-eligible countries: A modelling study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 19(1), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(18)30512-7

2018

Proof of concept of mass dog vaccination for the control and elimination of canine rabies

Cleaveland, S., Thumbi, S. M., Sambo, M., Lugelo, A., Lushasi, K., Hampson, K., & Lankester, F. (2018). Proof of concept of mass dog vaccination for the control and elimination of canine rabies. Revue Scientifique et Technique, 37(2), 559–568. https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.37.2.2824

2016

Thermotolerance of an inactivated rabies vaccine for dogs

Lankester, F. J., Wouters, P. A. W. M., Czupryna, A., Palmer, G. H., Mzimbiri, I., Cleaveland, S., Francis, M. J., Sutton, D. J., & Sonnemans, D. G. P. (2016). Thermotolerance of an inactivated rabies vaccine for dogs. Vaccine34(46), 5504–5511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.10.015

Ecology and demography of free-roaming domestic dogs in rural villages near Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

Czupryna, A. M., Brown, J. S., Bigambo, M. A., Whelan, C. J., Mehta, S. D., Santymire, R. M., et al. (2016). Ecology and demography of free-roaming domestic dogs in rural villages near Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. PLOS ONE, 11(11), e0167092. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0167092

2015

Incentives increase participation in mass dog rabies vaccination clinics and methods of coverage estimation are assessed to be accurate

Minyoo, A. B., Steinmetz, M., Czupryna, A., Bigambo, M., Mzimbiri, I., Powell, G., et al. (2015). Incentives increase participation in mass dog rabies vaccination clinics and methods of coverage estimation are assessed to be accurate. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 9(12), e0004221.

2014

Role of dog sterilisation and vaccination in rabies control programmes

Cleaveland, S., Hampson, K., Lembo, T., Townsend, S., & Lankester, F. (2014). Role of dog sterilisation and vaccination in rabies control programmes. Veterinary Record, 175(16), 409–410.

Rabies control and elimination: A test case for One Health

Cleaveland, S., Lankester, F., Townsend, S., Lembo, T., & Hampson, K. (2014). Rabies control and elimination: A test case for One Health. Veterinary Record, 175(8), 188–193.

Implementing Pasteur’s vision for rabies elimination

Lankester, F., Hampson, K., Lembo, T., Palmer, G., Taylor, L., & Cleaveland, S. (2014). Implementing Pasteur’s vision for rabies elimination. Science, 345(6204), 1562–1564. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1256306

The changing landscape of rabies epidemiology and control

Cleaveland, S., Beyer, H., Hampson, K., Haydon, D., Lankester, F., Lembo, T., et al. (2014). The changing landscape of rabies epidemiology and control. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 81(2), E1–E8. https://doi.org/10.4102/ojvr.v81i2.731

Cost-effectiveness of canine vaccination to prevent human rabies in rural Tanzania

Fitzpatrick, M. C., Hampson, K., Cleaveland, S., Mzimbiri, I., Lankester, F., Lembo, T., et al. (2014). Cost-effectiveness of canine vaccination to prevent human rabies in rural Tanzania. Annals of Internal Medicine, 160(2), 91–100. https://doi.org/10.7326/M13-0542

2012

Domestic animal health programs to protect wildlife: Animal health and biodiversity – Preparing for the future

Cleaveland, S., Keyyu, J., Auty, H., Lembo, T., Hampson, K., Lankester, F., et al. (2012). Domestic animal health programs to protect wildlife: Animal health and biodiversity – Preparing for the future. In OIE Global Conference on Wildlife (pp. 43–46). World Organisation for Animal Health.

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