Human Rabies To Be Declared Notifiable Disease : Delhi Govt
New Delhi : The Government of Delhi is ready to declare Human Rabies as a Notifiable Disease in the national capital under the Epidemic Diseases Act to strengthen surveillance and ensure timely treatment. “This is an important step towards our target of zero human deaths from rabies in Delhi,” Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said.
Upon notification, all government and private healthcare facilities, including medical colleges and individual practitioners, will be required to report suspected, probable and confirmed human rabies cases to the relevant health authorities, an official statement said.
The move aims to strengthen disease surveillance, ensure timely reporting of cases and take rapid public health measures to prevent the spread of rabies, the organization said, adding that the government is also further strengthening rabies vaccination facilities for humans, dogs and other animals.
The Delhi Government is in the process of finalizing the State Action Plan for Rabies Eradication (SAPRE) in coordination with local bodies, Animal Husbandry Department and other stakeholders.
The move comes amid a row over the Supreme Court’s decision to treat stray dogs after taking into account reports of stray dog attacks on people and rabies-related deaths.
In November, the high court had ordered that all stray dogs be removed from railway stations, schools, hospitals, bus stands and other public places and transferred to “designated shelters” after necessary sterilization and vaccination in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules.
But dog lovers, experts and activists oppose it, saying the “unscientific” approach would undermine rabies-fighting efforts, destabilize urban ecosystems and disproportionately impact low-income and underserved communities.
“Declaring Rabies as a notifiable disease is an important step towards achieving the target of zero human deaths due to dog-borne rabies. The government is also further strengthening Rabies vaccination facilities for humans as well as dogs and other animals,” the official statement said. The statement was included.
To ensure accessible treatment across the city, anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) is currently provided in 59 health facilities in all 11 districts of Delhi, while anti-rabies serum (RIG) is available in 33 designated health facilities and hospitals in the national capital.
Mandatory notification will help authorities track disease trends, improve coordination between human and animal health systems, and implement targeted preventive measures in high-risk areas.
“Rabies is a preventable disease and any death due to rabies is unacceptable. Declaring human rabies as a notifiable disease will strengthen surveillance, improve early diagnosis and ensure timely treatment,” Singh said.
The proposed notification will come into force immediately after its publication and will remain valid until further orders. Detailed guidelines on reporting and coordination will be shared with all relevant departments and healthcare institutions.
