Delhi government has taken a major step to prevent deaths due to rabies. The government has declared rabies as a “notifiable disease”, which means it is necessary to report it to the government. This means that now all hospitals and doctors will have to immediately report every case of rabies to the government. This step will increase monitoring of the disease and ensure timely treatment. The aim of Delhi government is to reduce human rabies deaths to zero.
With the implementation of this new rule, all government and private hospitals, medical colleges and private doctors in Delhi will have to immediately report every rabies patient (whether suspected or confirmed) to the health authorities. Rabies is a very serious disease. Once its symptoms appear, it can be fatal. However, the good news is that it can be completely prevented with timely treatment and vaccination, so it is very important to report the disease immediately to save the life of the patient.
The Delhi government has made concrete arrangements for treatment in the capital. Anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) is available free of cost at 59 health centers in all 11 districts of Delhi. Anti-rabies serum, a medicine for severe cases, is available in 33 selected hospitals in Delhi. These facilities of Delhi Government are playing an important role in fighting rabies and saving lives.
Government’s action plan ready
The Delhi government is finalizing a special plan (State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE)) to completely eliminate rabies. Its main objective is to ensure that no person in Delhi dies of rabies due to dog bite. Delhi government is strengthening facilities for rabies vaccination for both humans and dogs and other animals. With these efforts, she is preparing to make Delhi rabies-free.
What did the Delhi Health Minister say?
Delhi Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh said that rabies is a disease that can be prevented, and hence, not a single death due to it will be tolerated. He further said that making rabies a notifiable disease will strengthen surveillance, ensure early diagnosis and timely, appropriate treatment for patients. Its objective is to reduce the number of deaths due to rabies in Delhi to zero. This new rule will come into effect as soon as the notification is received and will remain in force till the next notification. Detailed guidelines on how to report illness and coordinate between departments will soon be sent to all hospitals and concerned departments.
How many deaths have occurred due to rabies in Delhi?
Actually, the figures of deaths due to rabies in Delhi vary. According to media reports, there were 49 deaths due to rabies in Delhi last year. The number of rabies deaths in 2024 was 62. According to the report, more than 35,000 cases of animal bites were reported in Delhi in the first six months (January to June) of 2025. In fact, around 2,000 dog bite cases are being reported every day in Delhi. The central government had claimed in Parliament that there were no deaths due to rabies in Delhi from 2022 to January 2025, but later an RTI revealed 18 deaths.