International research study warns public awareness critical in infectious disease fight

Using rabies as a case study, researchers from across the world joined together to assess and promote the effectiveness of public awareness campaigns in spotting and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

The study–published in the journal Epidemiology and Infection–focused on the nation of Azerbaijan, an area at high risk of rabies infections. Researchers launched a new public health campaign there that consisted of posters, leaflets and text messages with information on the disease. Scientists then turned to 600 households in the original targeted campaign area, as well as two districts that had not been given any such information.

Comparing them, they found that the awareness campaign both improved knowledge and got residents to vaccinate their dogs–the most effective way to reduce the burden of the disease. Curiously enough, the most cited way the information was obtained was not directly through the campaign, though: it was through word of mouth from friends and family.

“Infectious diseases pose a considerable threat to human health and place an enormous economic burden on health care systems,” Dr. Dan Horton, a lecturer in Veterinary Virology at the University of Surrey, said. “This research shows that even a simple public awareness campaign can have a positive effect. The results have potential impact for other diseases and other countries in the region.”

Researchers from the University of Surrey, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington State University, and the Azerbaijan Republican Veterinary Laboratory all collaborated on the study.