The overall result showed that there were 152 rabies outbreaks, 666 suspected cases and 510 deaths recoded throughout this six-year report study, which occurred from 2018 to 2023. The highest suspected case was observed in dog population (452 cases, 67.9%), followed by cows (153 cases, 23%). It was noted that animals like cattle, goats, sheep, and equines in the western Amhara region are at risk of contracting the disease from rabid dogs due to grazing in open fields where they may come into contact with free-roaming dogs. The findings were similar to those of studies conducted in Ethiopia (10, 12–14), Nepal (15), Sri Lanka (16), and South Africa (17). This could be due to the existence of a large number of stray dogs and insufficient vaccination coverage in the region.
There were 152 outbreaks in this six-year period. The temporal pattern of rabies cases was high during May and lower in January, which is consistent with findings in other regions of Ethiopia (13, 18). Rabies cases often peak during certain times of the year, which could be influenced by factors such as animal behavior, weather conditions, and human activities. In Ethiopia, the seasonal variation in rabies cases may be related to factors like increased movement of animals during certain months, changes in wildlife behavior, or variations in vaccination coverage (19). The presence of stray, and community-owned dogs coming together during this time creates ideal conditions for the transmission of the rabies virus, especially in areas where vaccination coverage is insufficient (20, 21).
Although the number of outbreaks was almost the same over the study years, the number of suspected rabies cases varied, with the highest recorded in 2019 (158 cases, 23.7%) and the lowest in 2023 (65 cases, 9.8%). Rabies cases have not decreased significantly from previous years, but in 2023, the case has decreased. This could be due to improved prevention measures such as mass vaccination by the national rabies prevention and control strategy, as well as other measures such as proper waste disposal, which serves as a source of food for free roaming dogs, and increased awareness among dog owners about dog vaccination in the region (21).
The number of rabies outbreaks in western Amhara zones per six district years varied by zone. The East Gojjam zone had the highest number of rabies-suspected animal cases (253, 38%), while Gondar city had the lowest (2, 0.3%). There was also no information from Bahir Dar City during the study period. The difference could be attributed to the fact that the East Gojjam zone has 19 districts, whereas Gondar and Bahir Dar each have only one. The commitment of professionals is another factor that influences the amount of outbreaks. Considerations include timely reporting, the presence of big free-ranging canines, surrounding reservoirs, and the absence of sufficient preventative and control measures in the area (22, 23).