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🐾 PUBLIC HEALTH | RABIES AWARENESS

Rabies in India: A Preventable Crisis in Need of Urgent Action

Rabies remains a significant public health challenge in India. A recent Lancet study revealed that dogs are responsible for three out of every four animal bites. Annually, rabies causes an estimated 5,726 deaths in the country — a tragedy that is entirely preventable with the right interventions.


Current Situation of Rabies in India

  • Rabies is a viral disease, primarily spread through dog bites.
  • According to the Indian Council of Medical Research:
    • Over 9.1 million dog bites occur annually.
    • Many victims do not receive full post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
  • Inadequate awareness and treatment gaps continue to cost lives.

The “Zero by 30” Global Goal

  • In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the “Zero by 30” initiative.
  • Objective: Eliminate all dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.
  • Key partners: WHO, OIE, FAO, GARC.
  • Strategy includes mass dog vaccination, awareness campaigns, and timely access to vaccines for humans.

Why Vaccination & Awareness Matter

  • Dog vaccination breaks the transmission cycle.
  • Human PEP after a bite is crucial to survival.
  • Despite vaccine availability, many do not complete the course due to cost, access, or lack of awareness.

The One Health Approach

  • Combines human and veterinary health systems.
  • Promotes coordinated surveillance, joint resource use, and fast response.
  • Especially effective for zoonotic diseases like rabies.

Challenges & What Needs to Change

  • India lacks reliable, consolidated data on rabies deaths.
  • Focused interventions, including community education, accessible healthcare, and mass dog vaccination, are vital.
  • A unified effort across health sectors will be key to ending rabies fatalities.

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