What We Do
The mission of Santé publique France is centered on three main areas, which are:
Epidemiological surveillance
Supporting the implementation of control measures in the event of a risk to the population (for example, following the importation of an infected animal into the country)
Disease prevention.
Epidemiological surveillance of rabies
Rabies surveillance relies on mandatory reporting and the National Reference Center.
Mandatory reporting
Mandatory reporting involves comprehensively recording cases of certain diseases known as “notifiable diseases” among biologists and physicians, and documenting information relevant to public health regarding these cases. It involves two successive procedures: reporting and notification.
Physicians and laboratory professionals who suspect or diagnose a notifiable disease must report it without delay and by any appropriate means to the ARS physician in their area of practice. Reporting enables the early implementation of individual follow-up and collective prevention measures; in the case of rabies, this includes identifying individuals exposed to the same source of the virus as the suspected case and, if necessary, providing care for them.
Notification occurs after reporting and most often after confirmation of the diagnosis by the CNR. Reporting physicians or biologists notify the ARS physician in their area of practice using a specific form for rabies. Notification enables the analysis and monitoring of the progression of these diseases within the population in order to better target local and national prevention efforts.
Definition of rabies cases to be reported and notified
| Reported cases | Type of notification form | Notified cases | Reporting and notification criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmed cases | Simple, downloadable form | Confirmed cases |
Confirmed case: clinical presentation suggestive of rabies confirmed by the National Rabies Reference Center Note: Do not report individuals receiving post-exposure rabies prophylaxis |
Notification Form
Informing the public about the reporting of notifiable diseases
A network of partners
This surveillance program relies on several partners:
Regional Health Agencies (ARS) - List and locations of ARS: http://www.ars.sante.fr/portail.0.html
The National Reference Center (CNR) for Rabies
RABIES CNR
PASTEUR INSTITUTE
DYNAMIC UNIT FOR LYSSAVIRUSES AND HOST ADAPTATION
25 RUE DU DOCTEUR ROUX
75724 PARIS CEDEX 15
Name of the person in charge: Dr. Hervé BOURHY
Tel.: 01 45 68 87 85
Email: herve.bourhy@pasteur.fr
To learn more about rabies and the CNR’s activities: https://www.pasteur.fr/fr/sante-publique/cnr/les-cnr/rage
Rabies Control Centers
List of rabies centers:
https://www.pasteur.fr/fr/file/2746/download?token=al_Z5BBB
Rabies branches
https://www.pasteur.fr/fr/file/2745/download
The Directorate General of Health (Ministry of Health): http://www.sante.gouv.fr/
Rabies prevention efforts
Santé publique France has created an informational website on the various vaccinations available in France to provide reliable, scientifically validated answers to questions the public and healthcare professionals may have on the subject. A section dedicated to rabies vaccination is available in two distinct areas: one aimed at the general public and the other at healthcare professionals to better support them in their practice:
In relation to
Vaccination
thematic dossier
Contagious diseases most often affect children at a very young age. Because children are particularly vulnerable, they are a priority target for vaccination programs.
