Ecuador’s “Free of Rabies” Initiative Gains Momentum Toward Eradicating Dog‑Transmitted Rabies with Support from Boehringer Ingelheim’s Stop Rabies Program

(SeaPRwire) –   •    Ecuador is working to become one of the first Latin American nations free of rabies.
•    Collaborative initiatives with the Ministry of Public Health center on vaccination, education, and epidemiological monitoring.
•    Boehringer Ingelheim revealed key backing for the project during the international One Health Summit held in Lyon, France
        
        
During the international One Health Summit—hosted by the French government to celebrate World Health Day on April 7—Boehringer Ingelheim declared its support for Ecuador’s rabies elimination initiatives.  

Ecuador is making significant strides to become the second Latin American country (after Mexico) to eradicate dog-transmitted rabies by 2030, aligning with Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) guidelines that highlight mass dog vaccination, enhanced epidemiological surveillance, and prompt access to post-exposure treatment. Rabies is a viral illness that is nearly always deadly once symptoms manifest. Worldwide, dogs are the main cause of human rabies infections, responsible for over 99% of cases. 

Ecuador is ramping up preventive measures and bolstering its national response to rabies, a persistent global public health issue. These actions are spearheaded by the Ecuador Free of Rabies project—coordinated by the Ministry of Public Health and executed in close partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim’s Stop Rabies program. The initiative unites the public sector, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local communities to drive coordinated preventive efforts across three key areas:

1.    Strengthen surveillance for a robust health response. The project helps enhance the national health surveillance software system, a critical component for disease management. Better detection, prompt reporting, and collaboration between health services, regional teams, and diagnostic labs ensure suspected cases are handled following international standards. PAHO notes that upgrading the rabies surveillance system can also boost overall public health monitoring capabilities, covering other zoonotic diseases like malaria, Zika, chikungunya, and dengue. 

2.    Education and public awareness. This strategic focus aims to reach four million children in the National Education System by 2030. To meet this target, the project creates initiatives to educate communities on responsible pet care, proactive prevention strategies, and how to react if they encounter a potential rabies exposure.  

3.    Vaccination as a cornerstone of elimination. Ecuador’s Ministry of Public Health has dedicated over 20 years to immunization work. As a result, there have been no reported cases of dog-to-human rabies transmission in Ecuador since 2006. PAHO states that vaccinating more than 80% of the dog population is vital to break the transmission cycle and progress toward elimination. Thus, the project underscores the significance of dog vaccination and responsible pet ownership as core preventive measures. 

The Ecuador Free of Rabies project strives to advance rabies elimination and supports the global Zero by 30 initiative, which aims to end human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030. The project works to build local capabilities, foster a culture of prevention, and lay strong groundwork to tackle public health challenges in Ecuador more efficiently. 

“Eliminating rabies demands ongoing dedication, tight collaboration, and coordinated action. We’re proud to support Ecuador in its surveillance, education, and vaccination efforts to enhance protection for both people and animals,” said Claire Fowler, a member of the Animal Health Executive Committee at Boehringer Ingelheim.  

Drawing on more than 40 years of experience in rabies prevention and management, Boehringer Ingelheim launched its global Stop Rabies program in 2022 as part of its Sustainable Development for Generations strategy. The program’s goal is to take tangible actions to help eradicate this fatal but preventable disease via a three-pronged approach: vaccination, education, and surveillance. 

“Through Stop Rabies, we’re committed to partnering closely with national authorities, local stakeholders, and communities to boost preventive measures and actions in the areas that need it most,” states Thaïs Vila, Rabies Franchise Manager and Stop Rabies Program Lead at Boehringer Ingelheim.

Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical firm operating in both human and animal health sectors. As one of the industry’s leading R&D investors, the company prioritizes creating innovative treatments that enhance and prolong lives in fields with significant unmet medical needs. Founded in 1885 and remaining independent ever since, Boehringer adopts a long-term view, integrating sustainability across its entire value chain. Our roughly 54,300 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier, more sustainable future. For more information, visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

About Boehringer Ingelheim – Animal Health business
Boehringer Ingelheim delivers top-tier innovations for preventing and treating animal diseases. The company supplies a diverse array of vaccines, parasite control products, and medications for pets, horses, and livestock to veterinarians, pet owners, farmers, and governments. As a leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim recognizes the deep link between human and animal health and works to impact people, animals, and society positively. Learn more at boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health. For additional details, visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health.