Rabies: A Deadly Zoonotic Disease and Prevention Efforts
Summary
Rabies remains a 100% fatal but preventable zoonotic disease that spreads mainly through bites or saliva from infected animals. Nepal is stepping up dog vaccination, sterilization, and public awareness efforts as it works toward eliminating human rabies deaths by 2030.
Key Points
- Rabies is a zoonotic disease transmitted mainly through bites or saliva from infected animals and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
- Nepal has committed to the global goal of zero human deaths from dog-bite transmitted rabies by 2030 through vaccination, sterilization, and awareness campaigns.
- Bhutan’s elimination of dog-transmitted rabies is presented as a model, credited to high dog vaccination coverage, free post-exposure treatment, and coordinated One Health efforts.
- The article says rabies is entirely preventable if wounds are washed immediately and anti-rabies vaccination is received on time.
