Human rabies to be declared a notifiable disease in Delhi, government says key step towards zero deaths

Delhi Government is set to declare Human Rabies as a Notifiable Disease in the national capital under the Epidemic Diseases Act to improve reporting, early treatment and monitoring.

“This is an important step towards our target of zero human deaths from rabies in Delhi,” Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said.

According to the official statement, following notification, all public and private healthcare institutions, including medical schools and individual practitioners, will be obliged to report suspected, probable and confirmed human rabies cases to the relevant health authorities.

He also added that this move will help strengthen disease surveillance, ensure timely reporting of cases and ensure rapid public health measures are taken to prevent the spread of rabies.

The Delhi government is also working to finalize the State Action Plan for Rabies Eradication in coordination with local bodies, Animal Husbandry Department and other stakeholders.

The statement stated that the notifiable disease is an important step towards eliminating zero human deaths due to dog-borne rabies. In the statement, it was stated that rabies vaccination facilities were established for dogs and other animals as well as humans.

To ensure wider access, anti-rabies vaccine is currently available in 59 health facilities in all 11 districts of Delhi, while anti-rabies serum is also available in 33 designated health facilities and hospitals in the national capital.

The move will help authorities monitor 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 notice will be effective immediately upon posting and will remain valid until further notice. Principles regarding reporting and coordination will be shared with all relevant departments and health institutions.

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