By Arun Sharma
New Delhi | Special Correspondent

In a decisive public health push, the Delhi government is set to notify human rabies as a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, aiming to eliminate all rabies-related deaths in the national capital.


Announcing the move, Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said rabies is entirely preventable and that even a single death due to the disease is unacceptable. “Mandatory reporting will ensure early detection, timely treatment and a stronger surveillance mechanism,” he said, underlining the government’s zero-tolerance approach.


Once notified, all government and private hospitals, medical colleges and individual practitioners will be legally required to report suspected, probable and confirmed cases of human rabies to health authorities. Officials say this will significantly strengthen disease tracking and public health response.


Alarming Dog-Bite Numbers
The decision comes amid worrying data on dog-bite incidents in the capital. Official records show 51,773 dog-bite cases in 2023, while 44,995 cases were reported till August 2025, highlighting the scale of exposure risk and the urgent need for coordinated action.

Strengthening Treatment Infrastructure
To ensure timely treatment, the anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) is currently available at 59 health facilities across all 11 districts of Delhi, while rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is being provided at 33 designated hospitals and health centres. These facilities form the backbone of Delhi’s rabies prevention and treatment framework.


State Action Plan in the Works
The Delhi government is also in the process of finalising the State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE) in coordination with local bodies, the animal husbandry department and other stakeholders. The plan focuses on strengthening vaccination coverage for humans as well as dogs and other animals.

Better Surveillance, Stronger Coordination
Health officials said notifying rabies will help authorities track disease trends more effectively, improve coordination between human and animal health systems, and roll out targeted preventive measures in high-risk areas.


The move is being seen as a major step towards making Delhi rabies-free, reinforcing the city’s public health preparedness and signalling a firm commitment to safeguarding lives.