WHO TO BOOST PRODUCTION OF TREATMENTS FOR RABIES, SNAKEBITES

Although more than 12 million people each year are bitten by dogs or snakes, or stung by scorpions, developing countries' capacity to treat these conditions is inadequate, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Treating these conditions is dependent on therapeutic sera, but this essential drug is often unavailable or unaffordable in many African countries. Therapeutic sera contain antibodies against one or more antigen and are manufactured using plasma from animals that have been immunized.

WHO is creating a five-year plan to boost sera production in developing countries. The agency plans to bring together manufacturers and recipient countries to discuss an action plan at a meeting today.

Production of therapeutic sera in industrialized countries is dropping due to inadequate profitability. In developing countries affordability is an issue, and production often does not meet quality standards. WHO estimates its plan will cost $10 million.

Rabies is the 10th most common cause of death due to infections, and more than 99 percent of all deaths from rabies occur in Asia and Africa. In addition, there are 1 million snakebites each year in Africa, resulting in more than 20,000 deaths. But the number of manufacturers of rabies drugs and antivenoms has dropped dramatically.

More than 10 million vials of antivenom sera would be needed to treat snake and scorpion bites worldwide, with an estimated 2 million vials required for Africa alone. An estimated 16 million vials of anti-rabies serum would be needed each year if current guidelines for post-exposure prophylaxis were fully implemented.