Shimla
The 28th September is marked as the 17th World Rabies Day this year. This year’s theme is ‘Rabies: All for 1, One Health for All’. The theme emphasizes the importance of equality, and strengthening overall health systems by ensuring that One Health is not for a select few but rather something that should be available to everyone.
Government spokesperson informed that Rabies is caused by a RNA virus that is present in the saliva of rabid animal. It is invariably transmitted following a bite of a rabid animal that leads to deposition of the saliva and the virus in the wound. It is one of the oldest recognized Zoonotic diseases with extremely high fatality rate, this fatal disease is completely preventable by timely and appropriate Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
However, Himachal Pradesh with a population of about 74 lakh, has made good progress as in the recent years as there is a decline in the incidence of human rabies cases in the state as per surveillance in the hospitals. The Anti rabies Vaccine and Anti Rabies serum (Immunoglobulin’s) is available at all healthcare facilities. The Health Department is providing rabies post exposure prophylaxis free of cost to all animal bite victims on a continual basis.
Himachal Pradesh State Activities under National Rabies Control Programme
Government of Himachal Pradesh has been declared Rabies diseases as a notifiable disease.
Government of Himachal Pradesh has notified State Level Zoonosis Committee (SLZC) & District Level Zoonosis Committee (DLZC) to address the challenges of Zoonosis and to adopt “One Health” approaches.
DDUZH Shimla has been declared as a Model Anti Rabies Clinic.
Provision of Anti Rabies Vaccine & Anti Rabies Immunoglobulin to all animal bite victims up to PHC level through National Free Drug Initiative.
Regular Capacity building is being done of health professionals regarding Animal Bite Management and post exposure prophylaxis i.e Doctors, Nurses, Health Care worker regarding Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.
Regular awareness about post-exposure prophylaxis among the general community.
Rabies is almost always fatal. However, following a rabies exposure the disease is practically 100% preventable by timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and correct use of rabies vaccines & immunoglobulin’s (RIG). The Health Department organized various awareness campaigns at school and community level.
