Strategies to End Rabies Now: A Journey of Rabies Control in India

Rabies is a preventable yet fatal zoonotic disease that remains a threat in many parts of the world. My journey in rabies control began in 2019, inspired by my mentor, Padam Shri Dr. Omresh Bharti. Since then, I have dedicated my efforts to raising awareness, ensuring mass dog vaccination, and advancing diagnostic methods to help curb rabies in India.

One of my first initiatives involved a localized project for administering intra-dermal rabies vaccinations to unvaccinated dogs in my area. I then began implementing post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in animals through local wound infiltration of rabies immune globulin (eRIG) and intra-dermal rabies vaccination (IDRV), employing a One Health approach.

In Rampur and surrounding areas, my team and I started documenting bite cases, rabies vaccinations, and identifying rabid animals. As our work progressed, we introduced app-based technology for data collection, allowing us to track and improve our practices over time. Our early collaboration with regional laboratories, such as CRI-Kasauli for initial diagnostics, was a key step forward. Later, we expanded our partnerships to include Dr. Shrikrishna Isloor at KVAFSA-CVA Rabies Diagnosis Lab, a WOAH reference lab in Bangalore, and Dr. Naveen Kumar, Principal Scientist at NCVTC Lab in Hisar.

To support our work on the ground, I co-founded Humane People, an NGO based in Rampur Bushahr, Shimla District, with a mission to implement mass dog vaccination and other rabies control initiatives. With the help of this organization, we have vaccinated over 2,000 dogs, significantly reducing the spread of rabies. My appointment as the District Nodal Officer for Anti-Rabies Vaccination and Animal Birth Control has allowed us to take these initiatives further by incorporating mobile app technology to streamline our vaccination efforts.

Breakthroughs in Rabies Diagnosis and Education
One of our landmark achievements has been the diagnosis of rabies through reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using postmortem tissue samples, including nasal planum tissue—a first in India. This technique has proven effective and allows us to identify rabies in animals with more accuracy.

In recent years, we have intensified our outreach and education efforts. Through the Rabies Education Program in collaboration with Mission Rabies, we now reach school children and communities across Himachal Pradesh. By educating them on what to do if bitten by a potentially rabid animal, we hope to reduce the risk of rabies transmission and increase community awareness. WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health) has recognized our education efforts and our surveillance-based vaccination program, featuring our work on their official site.

Looking Forward: A Call to Action for Rabies Elimination in India
Through mass dog vaccination, community education, PEP for animals, and timely diagnostics, we’ve managed to reduce dog-mediated rabies deaths in Himachal Pradesh to nearly zero by 2024. This progress shows that a collaborative, One Health approach is key to eliminating rabies.

The next step is expanding these programs to every Block and Tehsil level nationwide. With increased awareness, effective prevention, and broader reach, we can bring rabies under control across India. Together, we can end this deadly disease for good.

Article contributed by Dr. Anil Sharma, Deptt. Of Animal Husbandry HP India & Humane People (WRD Awardee 2024, Animal Welfare category)

Featured Article - 21 January 2025

Strategies to End Rabies Now: A Journey of Rabies Control in India