Evaluation of One Health approach measures implemented in response to the human rabies outbreak in the Maxakali Indigenous Land, Brazil

Abstract Background This article presents and evaluates the One Health interventions implemented after a rabies outbreak in indigenous Maxakali children living in the Pradinho Village in the municipality of Bertópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil, which occurred between April and May 2022, in the third mon...

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Main Authors: Dilceu Silveira Tolentino Júnior, Maryana Santos Vasconcelos Marques, Jomar Otávio Zatti Pereira, Roberto Carlos de Oliveira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:One Health Outlook
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s42522-025-00167-3
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author Dilceu Silveira Tolentino Júnior
Maryana Santos Vasconcelos Marques
Jomar Otávio Zatti Pereira
Roberto Carlos de Oliveira
author_facet Dilceu Silveira Tolentino Júnior
Maryana Santos Vasconcelos Marques
Jomar Otávio Zatti Pereira
Roberto Carlos de Oliveira
author_sort Dilceu Silveira Tolentino Júnior
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This article presents and evaluates the One Health interventions implemented after a rabies outbreak in indigenous Maxakali children living in the Pradinho Village in the municipality of Bertópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil, which occurred between April and May 2022, in the third month and in the first year after the event. Methods This was an evaluation study conducted using official documents. The One Health approaches implemented in response to the outbreak were assessed from the perspective of continuity and self-sustainability, in order to conjecture the tactical and strategic operational measures adopted. The One Health interventions were assessed based on the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data from observations and records of environmental, observational, and animal and human behavior samples. The coordination mechanisms between the Rabies Working Group of the Ministry of Health, composed of the National, State and District Strategic Information Centers for Health Surveillance, the Field Epidemiology Training Program, the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health, the State Secretariat of Health of Minas Gerais, the Agricultural Institute of Minas Gerais, the Municipal Secretariats of Health and Environment of Bertópolis, hospitals in the region and the Fire Department of Minas Gerais were assessed. Results Training activities were carried out for health team professionals; a post-exposure prophylaxis scheme was implemented for susceptible contacts and a pre-exposure prophylaxis scheme was implemented by the vaccination team for all village residents; the animal anti-rabies vaccine was administered to 100% of the canine and feline population in Aldeia Pradinho, within a focal and perifocal radius of 3 to 5 km from the outbreak site. Approximately 100 households were inspected and natural and artificial roosts of sanguivorous bats were identified. An epidemiological survey was carried out in the region to verify attacks by sanguivorous bats on cattle and horses. The evaluation of the operational approaches in the 3rd month showed high efficacy, but after 1 year they were considered of low to medium efficacy. Evaluations of the tactical and strategic approaches after 1 year were considered of low efficacy due to the lack of self-sustainability. Conclusions One Health interventions were useful in addressing health challenges and consolidating partnerships. Although not all strategic response actions have proven to be self-sustainable after a year of this rabies outbreak that affected indigenous Maxakali children, gains were observed in terms of trust, community engagement, and intersectoral collaboration.
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spelling doaj-art-f733a62ae1c0423ab4aee94e2a746baf2025-08-24T11:49:53ZengBMCOne Health Outlook2524-46552025-08-017111110.1186/s42522-025-00167-3Evaluation of One Health approach measures implemented in response to the human rabies outbreak in the Maxakali Indigenous Land, BrazilDilceu Silveira Tolentino Júnior0Maryana Santos Vasconcelos Marques1Jomar Otávio Zatti Pereira2Roberto Carlos de Oliveira3Postgraduate Program in Collective Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, René Rachou InstituteSpecial Indigenous Health District of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, Ministry of Health of BrazilAgricultural and Livestock Institute of Minas GeraisPostgraduate Program in Integrated Territory Management, Vale do Rio Doce UniversityAbstract Background This article presents and evaluates the One Health interventions implemented after a rabies outbreak in indigenous Maxakali children living in the Pradinho Village in the municipality of Bertópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil, which occurred between April and May 2022, in the third month and in the first year after the event. Methods This was an evaluation study conducted using official documents. The One Health approaches implemented in response to the outbreak were assessed from the perspective of continuity and self-sustainability, in order to conjecture the tactical and strategic operational measures adopted. The One Health interventions were assessed based on the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data from observations and records of environmental, observational, and animal and human behavior samples. The coordination mechanisms between the Rabies Working Group of the Ministry of Health, composed of the National, State and District Strategic Information Centers for Health Surveillance, the Field Epidemiology Training Program, the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health, the State Secretariat of Health of Minas Gerais, the Agricultural Institute of Minas Gerais, the Municipal Secretariats of Health and Environment of Bertópolis, hospitals in the region and the Fire Department of Minas Gerais were assessed. Results Training activities were carried out for health team professionals; a post-exposure prophylaxis scheme was implemented for susceptible contacts and a pre-exposure prophylaxis scheme was implemented by the vaccination team for all village residents; the animal anti-rabies vaccine was administered to 100% of the canine and feline population in Aldeia Pradinho, within a focal and perifocal radius of 3 to 5 km from the outbreak site. Approximately 100 households were inspected and natural and artificial roosts of sanguivorous bats were identified. An epidemiological survey was carried out in the region to verify attacks by sanguivorous bats on cattle and horses. The evaluation of the operational approaches in the 3rd month showed high efficacy, but after 1 year they were considered of low to medium efficacy. Evaluations of the tactical and strategic approaches after 1 year were considered of low efficacy due to the lack of self-sustainability. Conclusions One Health interventions were useful in addressing health challenges and consolidating partnerships. Although not all strategic response actions have proven to be self-sustainable after a year of this rabies outbreak that affected indigenous Maxakali children, gains were observed in terms of trust, community engagement, and intersectoral collaboration.https://doi.org/10.1186/s42522-025-00167-3RabiesEpidemicsOne HealthCrisis interventionEvaluation studiesIndigenous peoples
spellingShingle Dilceu Silveira Tolentino Júnior
Maryana Santos Vasconcelos Marques
Jomar Otávio Zatti Pereira
Roberto Carlos de Oliveira
Evaluation of One Health approach measures implemented in response to the human rabies outbreak in the Maxakali Indigenous Land, Brazil
One Health Outlook
Rabies
Epidemics
One Health
Crisis intervention
Evaluation studies
Indigenous peoples
title Evaluation of One Health approach measures implemented in response to the human rabies outbreak in the Maxakali Indigenous Land, Brazil
title_full Evaluation of One Health approach measures implemented in response to the human rabies outbreak in the Maxakali Indigenous Land, Brazil
title_fullStr Evaluation of One Health approach measures implemented in response to the human rabies outbreak in the Maxakali Indigenous Land, Brazil
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of One Health approach measures implemented in response to the human rabies outbreak in the Maxakali Indigenous Land, Brazil
title_short Evaluation of One Health approach measures implemented in response to the human rabies outbreak in the Maxakali Indigenous Land, Brazil
title_sort evaluation of one health approach measures implemented in response to the human rabies outbreak in the maxakali indigenous land brazil
topic Rabies
Epidemics
One Health
Crisis intervention
Evaluation studies
Indigenous peoples
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s42522-025-00167-3
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