No more silent rabies deaths? Delhi to make human rabies notifiable

New Delhi: In a major public health move aimed at preventing rabies-related deaths, the Delhi government is set to declare human rabies a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, making it mandatory for all hospitals and doctors, public and private, to report every suspected or confirmed case.

Calling the decision a crucial step towards safeguarding public health, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said the government’s clear objective is “zero human deaths from rabies” in the national capital.

Once the notification is issued, health authorities will receive real-time information on rabies cases, allowing faster medical response and targeted interventions in high-risk areas. Officials said the move will help bridge gaps between human healthcare services and animal health systems, a key requirement in controlling a disease primarily spread through dog bites.

The decision comes at a time when rabies prevention and stray dog management are under sharp focus, following a recent Supreme Court order directing the removal of stray dogs from public places such as schools, hospitals and railway stations. While the court stressed sterilisation and vaccination before relocation, the order has triggered strong opposition from animal welfare groups, who argue that forced removal could worsen rabies control by disrupting vaccination coverage.

Against this backdrop, Delhi’s health department is working to strengthen medical preparedness. Anti-rabies vaccines are currently available at 59 health facilities across all 11 districts, while anti-rabies serum (RIG) is being provided at 33 designated hospitals.

Officials said the government is also finalising the State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE), in coordination with municipal bodies, the Animal Husbandry Department and other stakeholders, to create a long-term, coordinated response to the disease.

“Rabies is a preventable disease, and no death due to rabies is acceptable. Declaring human rabies as a notifiable disease will strengthen surveillance, improve early detection, and ensure timely treatment,” Singh said, adding that mandatory reporting will improve early detection, monitoring and timely treatment.

The notification, once issued, will take immediate effect and remain in force until further orders. Detailed reporting guidelines will be shared with healthcare institutions to ensure smooth implementation.