One Health implementation for rabies elimination in India by 2030: Progress, governance, challenges, and policy alignment.
Achieving rabies elimination in India by 2030 requires addressing governance and surveillance gaps and improving access to prophylaxis.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the bofanglutide corpusSummary and findings
The commentary discusses India's progress and challenges in eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 under the National Action Plan for Rabies Elimination. It highlights gaps in implementation, such as fragmented governance and inadequate canine vaccination coverage. The paper suggests operational One Health systems and improved access to prophylaxis are needed for success.
Abstract
India has committed to eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 through the National Action Plan for Rabies Elimination (NAPRE), aligned with the global "Zero by 30" target within a One Health framework. Yet nationally representative 2022-23 data indicate that substantial dog-bite exposure and preventable rabies deaths persist despite effective preventive interventions. This commentary argues that India's slow progress reflects implementation gaps, including fragmented governance, weak integrated surveillance, inadequate canine vaccination coverage, inequitable access to timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and limited multisectoral accountability. Achieving elimination requires operational One Health systems with integrated surveillance, sustained mass dog vaccination, universal intradermal PEP access, and targeted pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in low PEP access high-risk settings.
Background
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that remains a public health concern in India, primarily transmitted through dog bites. The National Action Plan for Rabies Elimination aims to eradicate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030, in line with global targets. This study is significant as it evaluates the progress and challenges in implementing this plan within a One Health framework, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health strategies.
Methods
Not reported in abstract.
Results
The commentary identifies several barriers to rabies elimination in India, including fragmented governance, weak integrated surveillance systems, and inadequate canine vaccination coverage. It also notes the inequitable access to post-exposure prophylaxis and limited multisectoral accountability as significant challenges. The paper emphasizes the need for operational One Health systems and sustained mass dog vaccination to achieve the elimination goal.
Interpretation
The findings suggest that while preventive interventions for rabies are effective, their implementation is hindered by systemic issues such as governance and resource allocation. Compared to prior literature, this commentary highlights the need for a more integrated and accountable approach. The lack of new empirical data limits the ability to assess the clinical significance of proposed solutions.
Key findings
- Substantial dog-bite exposure persists in India as of 2022-23.
- Preventable rabies deaths continue despite effective interventions.
- Inadequate canine vaccination coverage is a significant barrier.
- Equitable access to post-exposure prophylaxis remains limited.
- Fragmented governance hinders rabies elimination efforts.
Limitations
- Commentary, no new empirical data
- Relies on existing national data
- No quantitative analysis provided
- Focuses on implementation gaps rather than new solutions