'Preventable disease': Delhi govt to notify human rabies under Epidemic Diseases Act, targets 0 deaths

NEW DELHI: Delhi govt is set to declare human rabies a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, with the objective of achieving zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies in the national capital.

The proposed notification aims to strengthen disease surveillance, ensure early reporting and a swift public health response.




“Rabies is a preventable disease, and no death due to rabies is acceptable,” health minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said.

Once notified, all govt and private health facilities, including medical colleges and individual practitioners, will be required to report suspected, probable and confirmed cases of human rabies to the health authorities. The move aims to ensure early detection and timely treatment, which are critical, as rabies is almost 100 per cent fatal once symptoms appear, but it is completely preventable through prompt medical intervention.

According to the official data, Delhi recorded 51,773 dog bite cases in 2023. In 2025, the figure reached 44,995 by Aug, underlining the scale of exposure risk and the need for robust surveillance.

To ensure access to treatment, the anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) is currently being provided at 59 health facilities across all 11 districts. The antirabies serum, or rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), is available at 33 designated health facilities and hospitals. These centres together form the backbone of Delhi’s rabies prevention and treatment infrastructure.

Delhi govt is also in the process of finalising the State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE) in coordination with local bodies, the animal husbandry department, and other stakeholders.

Declaring rabies as a notifiable disease is identified as a key step towards achieving the goal of no human deaths due to dog-mediated rabies. Govt is also strengthening vaccination facilities for humans, as well as dogs and other animals.

A mandatory notification is expected to help authorities track disease trends, improve coordination between people and animal health systems, and implement targeted preventive measures in high-risk areas.