Rabies as a public health concern

In India it is estimated that one person dies from rabies every 30 minutes.

Rabies remains a problem in many parts of the world. In developing countries rabies is a major threat to public health and is responsible for numerous human deaths. The Association for the Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI) reported in 2004 that 20,565 humans die a year from Rabies in India. Many of the victims are children younger than 15 years.

In India ownerless and stray dogs are mainly responsible for the maintenance of the epizootic and the transmission of rabies to humans.

In developed countries the risk to humans has been minimized mainly due to mandatory rabies vaccinations of dogs and other pets. Progress in the control and elimination of wildlife rabies has been made through successful oral vaccination programs.