National Rabies Control Program Enhances Dog Bite Surveillance

The National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) is intensifying its efforts to monitor dog bite incidents across India. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, announced this initiative during a parliamentary session on August 19, 2023. The program aims to enhance rabies treatment and prevention measures throughout the country.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Jadhav detailed the steps being implemented to strengthen surveillance of animal bites, particularly those involving dogs. Data on dog and other animal bite cases, as well as related fatalities, will be systematically reported by all states and union territories via the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP). This data collection is vital for assessing the scale of the issue and ensuring timely interventions.

The NRCP is funded through the National Health Mission (NHM), which allocates budgets to various states for the program’s execution. This funding supports a range of activities, including the capacity building of healthcare staff, procurement of rabies vaccines, and the production of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials focused on rabies prevention. The budget also covers data entry support, monitoring, and the establishment of Model Anti-Rabies Clinics.

As part of the initiative, life-saving medications such as the Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Anti-Rabies Serum (ARS), also known as Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG), are provided free of charge at public health facilities under the National Free Drug Initiative of the NHM. These essential drugs are included in both the National and State Essential Drug Lists, ensuring widespread availability.

The National Centre for Disease Control is actively involved in implementing rabies control activities, which include raising public awareness, strengthening laboratory capabilities, and providing training materials. In addition, the National One Health Programme is enhancing rabies diagnosis through collaboration with veterinary laboratories across states. Jadhav highlighted that committees have been formed in all states to bolster the involvement of the veterinary sector in rabies prevention and control.

To promote awareness among the public and healthcare professionals, dog bite management protocols, IEC materials, and training videos have been developed and distributed nationwide. This initiative aims to educate the community about safe practices when handling animal bites and the importance of timely medical intervention.

In a related context, animal rights activists have been protesting against a recent Supreme Court ruling that mandates the relocation of stray dogs in the Delhi-NCR region to shelters. This decision was made in response to a notable increase in dog bite incidents, including the tragic death of a six-year-old child due to a stray dog attack. The court emphasized the need for immediate action and recommended sterilization and relocation for stray dogs.

Activists argue that the solution to the issue lies not in confinement but in scientific sterilization programs, community awareness, and stricter enforcement of pet ownership regulations. They contend that mass relocation of stray dogs could exacerbate the situation by straining resources and removing animals from the communities that typically care for them.

As the NRCP enhances its surveillance and treatment of dog bites, the intersection of public health policy and animal welfare remains a critical area of discussion and action in India. The ongoing efforts aim to create a safer environment for both humans and animals, addressing the complex challenges of rabies prevention and control.