India’s Fight Against Dog-Mediated Rabies

Abstract

There has been a very significant improvement in the availability of proper Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis [PEP] in India in the last 25 years. Now World Health Organisation (WHO) approved Rabies PEP is available in almost all major hospitals in cities and towns in India. It is also available in many village PHCs. About 35 years ago, most animal bite victims had to go to Government approved Anti-Rabies Clinics [ARCs] and a few selected centres in cities, some far away from their place of residence, for proper Anti-Rabies treatment. Only Semple Vaccine [NTV] was used for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis [PEP] in the Government ARCs. Anti-Rabies Serum [ARS] was used at the ARC of CRI Kasauli, and similar places only. Most Government ARCs did not have ARS. Tissue Culture Vaccines [TCVs] were used mostly in private clinics. Rabies Immune Globulins [RIGs] usage was even more scanty. It was done by a few well-trained physicians in the country. The Department of Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) in Medical Colleges were not interested in running ARCs. Only two TCVs, Merieux Inactivated Rabies Vaccine [HDCV] and RABIPUR [PCEC] were available in very few places. Two brands of HRIGs, Berirab P and Imogam Rabies, were available in still fewer places. Most General Practitioners did not treat the animal bite cases and used to refer them to the Government ARCs, some very far away.

How to cite this article:
Goswami A. India’s Fight against Dog Mediated
Rabies. APCRI J. 2025; 27(2): 3-4.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0973.5038.202509