Multi-Stakeholder Strategies for Rabies Elimination: Insights from a panel of experts on World Rabies Day 2025
Abstract
Background: Rabies remains a critical public health challenge in India, accounting for 35% of global rabies deaths despite being entirely preventable through timely intervention. A multi-stakeholder approach integrating human health, veterinary services, media, and civil society is essential for achieving the WHO’s “Zero by 30” goal.
Methods: We report on a Continuing Medical Education (CME) event organised on World Rabies Day 2025 (September 27) at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, bringing together clinicians, veterinary experts, municipal health officials, media representatives, NGO leaders, and animal welfare activists to discuss prevention and control strategies for animal bites and rabies in India.
KeyFindings: The event revealed critical gaps in post-exposure prophylaxis delivery, particularly the underutilisation of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), which is available in only 20.8% of public health facilities despite being stocked in 79.7% of facilities. Analysis of recent ICMR data shows 9.1 million annual animal bites and 5,726 rabies deaths, with poor patient compliance (only 40% completing five-dose schedules) and fragmented surveillance systems emerging as major barriers. Multi-sectoral discussions highlighted the importance of humane animal birth control programmes, strengthened veterinary-medical collaboration, evidence-based media communication, and community engagement in achieving sustainable rabies control.
Conclusions: World Rabies Day CME events serve as vital platforms for fostering intersectoral dialogue and knowledge exchange. Scaling such initiatives nationally, integrating rabies prevention into medical curricula, and strengthening One Health frameworks are essential for India’s rabies elimination roadmap.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2455.7048.202606
How to cite this article:
Yadav A, Chadhar K, Kumari S, Kishore J. Multi-Stakeholder Strategies for Rabies Elimination: Insights From a Panel of Experts on World Rabies Day 2025. Epidem Int. 2026;11(1):19-24.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Aditi Yadav, Kartik Chadhar , Sneha Kumari, Jugal Kishore
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