India is set to share its successful rabies-fighting strategy with several Southeast Asian nations to strengthen their anti-rabies programs. This initiative, spearheaded by the Union Health Ministry, aims to foster a coordinated approach to eliminate the deadly disease in the region. Representatives from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore will convene to discuss and adopt strategies based on India's experience.

Rabies is a fatal viral zoonotic disease, transmitted through the bite of rabid animals, mostly dogs, and is almost 100% fatal but also 100% preventable by timely vaccination. The WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR) carries a significant burden of rabies, accounting for 60% of global mortality due to the disease. Of the estimated 25,000 deaths due to rabies in SEAR, a majority occur in India (around 19,000) and Bangladesh (2,000).

India's approach to rabies elimination is based on the "National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination from India by 2030" (NAPRE). The NAPRE operates on three key principles: Prevention, Promotion, and Partnership. Prevention focuses on cost-effective public health interventions to improve access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Promotion aims to improve understanding of rabies through awareness and education. Partnership involves coordinated support from various stakeholders, including the community, government, private sectors, and international partners.

The NAPRE has two core components: a human health component and an animal health component. The human health component aims to prevent human deaths by ensuring timely access to PEP for all animal bite victims and creating a responsive public health system. The animal health component aims to achieve at least 70% anti-rabies vaccination coverage among dogs annually for three consecutive years in a defined geographical area.

Strategic actions under the human health component include ensuring PEP for all animal bite victims, training healthcare professionals, strengthening surveillance of animal bites and rabies cases, promoting inter-sectoral coordination, and developing public-private partnerships. For the animal health component, the strategy involves annual dog vaccination using cell culture vaccines, establishing cold-chain systems, and conducting dog population surveys.

Several countries in Southeast Asia have already made strides in rabies control. Sri Lanka and Thailand have significantly reduced human mortality through mass dog vaccination campaigns and improved access to PEP. These countries have also established the intradermal route for PEP administration, making it more accessible and affordable.

However, challenges remain in achieving rabies elimination in the region. These include a lack of political commitment, inadequate resources, complex control activities and the need for better intersectoral cooperation. A comprehensive rabies control program requires the active role of veterinary authorities, strong political commitment, and intensive social mobilization.

By sharing its winning strategy, India hopes to empower its Southeast Asian neighbors to overcome these challenges and accelerate their progress towards rabies elimination. This collaborative effort will not only save lives but also highlight India's capabilities in the vaccine and pharmaceutical industries. The initiative aligns with the WHO's regional strategy for eliminating human rabies transmitted by dogs in Southeast Asia, which emphasizes regional and intersectoral cooperation.