Electronic supplementary material – Summarized Content of 1st to the 13th REDIPRA
· I REDIPRA – Ecuador, 1983 - Approval of the “Program for elimination of human rabies in urban centres of Latin America” http://bvs1.panaftosa.org.br/local/File/textoc/I-REDIPRA-esp.pdf
· II REDIPRA – Brazil, 1987 - Epidemiological analysis from 1983 through 1987. Adjustments in strategies of the Regional Programs. No available link.
· III REDIPRA – Brazil, 1989 - Epidemiological analysis from 1987 through 1988. Focus on disease notification and surveillance activities in border areas. Strengthen the “Elimination Program” outreach to rural areas and small communities in LAC countries. http://bvs1.panaftosa.org.br/local/File/textoc/III_Redipra_esp.pdf
· IV REDIPRA – Mexico, 1992 - Epidemiological analysis showed a decrease in the incidence of dog-transmitted rabies (except in Bolivia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala and Peru). Focus on post-exposure prophylaxis and technical cooperation between neighbouring countries and international organisations. Redistribution of surplus vaccines to areas presenting higher risks (vaccine bank). Evaluation of vaccination campaigns to determine coverage rate, cost and operational aspects. Improvement of diagnosis and characterisation of viral strains using monoclonal antibodies. http://bvs1.panaftosa.org.br/local/File/textoc/IV_Redipra_esp.pdf
· V REDIPRA – Dominican Republic, 1995 - Discussion of the criteria for declaring areas free of human dog-transmitted rabies and the means for transit controls and animal quarantine. Strengthen the strategies for canine rabies control and focus on wildlife-transmitted rabies, particularly vampire bats. Characterisation of rabies virus variants isolated from wild animals. Implementation of diagnosis by direct immunofluorescence in all countries. http://bvs1.panaftosa.org.br/local/File/textoc/V_Redipra_esp.pdf
· VI REDIPRA, Ecuador, 1997 – Development of administrative management systems and cost-benefit analysis to strengthen the management of rabies control and prevention programs. Adjust activities for the consolidation phase of the plan. Strengthen the reference diagnosis (including molecular tests for variant virus characterisation). Ensure vaccine quality. Establishment of risk areas and strengthening of surveillance, disease notification, educational programs and community involvement. http://bvs1.panaftosa.org.br/local/File/textoc/VI_Redipra_esp.pdf
· VII REDIPRA, Mexico, 1998 – Constitution of the Consortium of Reference laboratories for diagnostic support in the Region. Implementation, recognition and maintenance of rabies-free municipalities. Improvement and adaptation of the Information and Surveillance Epidemiology System. Focus on technical cooperation provided by PAHO for priorities of each country, such as the identification of topics of interest, characterisation of risk areas, education and evaluation of vaccination campaigns, dog population control, health care for bitten individuals, multinational support plans for epidemiological surveillance and rabies control. http://bvs1.panaftosa.org.br/local/File/textoc/VII_Redipra_esp.pdf
· VIII REDIPRA, Peru, 2000 – Request PAHO to coordinate the issuance of guidelines for Rabies Prevention and Control and promote sub-regional meetings focused on information systems, diagnostic reference, risk analysis and canine vaccination with the participation of the community. Ensure PAHO collaboration with the countries for the implementation of a quality control program for rabies diagnostic laboratories and for identification of regional laboratories that could collaborate with the countries for virus characterisation. Request PAHO to conduct a review of the quality and availability of rabies vaccine, as well as oversee the revision and standardisation of treatment regimens using suckling-mouse brain vaccine. http://bvs1.panaftosa.org.br/local/File/textoc/VIII_Redipra_esp.pdf
· IX REDIPRA, Bolivia, 2002 – Definition of priorities in the cooperative activities of PAHO for the biennium 2003-2004. Strengthening of technical and political features for rabies elimination in LAC countries. Standardisation of the programs of human anti-rabies vaccination (issuing technical vaccination guidelines), ensuring the quality of vaccines by auditing laboratories. Implementation of a Regional System of Rabies Reference Laboratories. Adjustment of the Regional System for Epidemiological Surveillance of Rabies (SIRVERA – PANAFTOSA-PAHO), and incorporation of the software “Management System and Analysis of Data applied to Rabies”. Organisation of a sub-regional qualification event on medical treatment of the exposed population, diagnosis and vaccine quality control. Hold a meeting on participation of municipalities in zoonosis control. http://bvs1.panaftosa.org.br/local/File/textoc/IX_Redipra_esp.pdf
· X REDIPRA, Dominican Republic, 2004 – Strengthening surveillance, using decentralised laboratories. Certification of rabies-free areas. Updating of the guide for human treatment. Giving legal backing of campaigns for controlling the dog population. http://bvs1.panaftosa.org.br/local/File/textoc/X-redipra-esp.pdf
· XI REDIPRA, Brazil, 2006 – The 2004-2005 data analysis indicated a shortage of vaccines in some countries. The priorities will be to expand the immunobiological supply for the maintenance of vaccination campaigns and improve the data on canine populations to ensure adequate coverage. Encourage the participation of NGOs and the private sector in rabies preventive strategies. Focus on disease notification in SISVERA, with the inclusion of neurological cases (symptoms consistent with rabies) even in the absence of laboratory confirmation. http://bvs1.panaftosa.org.br/local/File/textoc/XI-Redipra-esp.pdf
· XII REDIPRA, Guatemala, 2008 - Training activities for municipal managers and strengthening of health education campaigns and actions concerning rabies risk communication. Ensure vaccine and serum supply to poor areas. Exchange and cooperation between Reference Laboratories in America. Surveillance of AgV1 and AgV2 strains in wild species, mainly in the Caribbean, where technologies must be developed to allow oral vaccination of mongooses. Immunisation of cats to prevent rabies virus transmission. Focus on international cooperation for monitoring animal movement, according to the OIE code. Declaration and maintenance of rabies-free areas, such as Chile. http://bvs1.panaftosa.org.br/local/File/textoc/XII-Redipra-conclusiones.pdf
· XIII REDIPRA, Argentina, 2010 – Highlights were advances in the declaration of rabies-free areas in Peru, Mexico and Chile and in the criteria for and classification of risk areas, improvement of laboratory infrastructure in several countries, and advances in the understanding and control of rabies in mongooses, with collaboration of the United States. Discussion of cooperation of NGOs for the advancement of dog population control. Recommendation to strengthen programs for rabies elimination by improving care systems for patients exposed to rabies and improving the supply of human and canine vaccines and serum using the revolving fund of PAHO/WHO. Focus on document 19 Resolution of 49o. Directing Council PAHO/WHO because it provides financial assistance to countries for the elimination of neglected and poverty-related diseases. http://bvs1.panaftosa.org.br/local/File/textoc/REDIPRA13-conclusiones.pdf