New Delhi, Sep 28 (UNI) Despite being entirely preventable, rabies continues to claim a life every nine minutes globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today, underscoring the urgent need for vaccination and awareness.
The challenge has recently drawn judicial attention in India too, following a Supreme Court directive calling for enhanced national-level control measures.
Marking World Rabies Day, observed annually on September 28, the WHO reiterated that mass dog vaccination and timely access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are critical to stopping transmission.
Yet, in countries like India, the burden remains high due to a combination of infrastructural, logistical, and behavioural challenges.
India accounts for nearly one-third of all rabies deaths globally, with the stray dog population estimated to be in the tens of millions.
Most human rabies cases result from dog bites, and children under 15, particularly in rural and underserved areas, are the most vulnerable.
Data presented in Parliament under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) revealed that India recorded over 3.7 million dog-bite cases and 54 suspected human rabies deaths in 2024.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) reported 286 rabies-related deaths in 2023, along with the administration of more than 4.6 million anti-rabies vaccine doses.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda said the government is committed to eliminating rabies by 2030, aligning with global targets.
“World Rabies Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness about rabies prevention and to work together to eliminate this deadly yet fully preventable disease,” he said on his social media platform X.
This year’s global theme, “Act Now: You, Me, Community”, highlights the collective responsibility of individuals, communities, and institutions in addressing the threat. Mr. Nadda said the government, through the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP), is strengthening surveillance systems, ensuring access to vaccines and immunoglobulins, and promoting public awareness.
“With everyone’s support, we can save lives and move closer to a rabies-free India,” he added.
Experts point to the need for mass dog vaccination and sustainable population management as the most effective strategies to eliminate dog-mediated rabies. Achieving 70% vaccination coverage among dogs has proven to break the transmission cycle in countries such as Mexico, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
However, in India, enforcement of Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes remains inconsistent. Cultural attitudes toward stray animals, gaps in veterinary infrastructure, and difficulties in reaching remote areas continue to hamper progress.
Dr Uday Kakroo, a senior veterinarian, expressing concern over current rabies control efforts, said that dog vaccination is not being carried out as seriously as it should be.
“There is no systematic tagging of stray dogs to track vaccination status. Without tagging, we don’t know which dogs are covered and which are not,” the expert pointed out. He added that dedicated labs should be operational to monitor sick animals, especially those showing abnormal behaviour or aggression.
“We often see dogs biting not just humans but other animals too. This intra-species transmission needs urgent study. But unless there is a robust surveillance mechanism, we cannot contain the disease,” he said. The veterinarian also highlighted that increased human encroachment into animal habitats is aggravating the problem, bringing humans and potentially infected strays into closer contact.
Dr Vijay Kumar Agarwal, senior pulmonologist at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Faridabad, stressed the importance of post-bite care awareness and early access to life-saving treatment, especially in peripheral and rural health centres.
He advised that the first and most crucial step is to wash the wound immediately and thoroughly under running water for at least 10 minutes using soap or detergent. After cleaning, a disinfectant should be applied, but traditional irritants such as turmeric, lime, chilli, or oils must be strictly avoided, as they can worsen the infection.
The wound should not be touched or bandaged unless done by a trained healthcare professional. Most importantly, one must seek immediate medical attention and begin post-exposure prophylaxis without delay, said Dr Vijay Kumar Agarwal.
