Karnataka is gearing up for a rabies-free future, launching twin state action plans on Friday to achieve zero human deaths from canine rabies by 2030 while curbing venomous snakebite fatalities. Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao spearheaded the rollout in Bengaluru, emphasizing prevention and rapid response to these public health emergencies.
Central to the Rabies Elimination Plan is the One Health strategy, fostering collaboration among health, veterinary, urban development, and education wings. Rabies’ near-100% fatality rate after symptoms emerge demands urgent action in vaccination, treatment availability, monitoring, and inter-agency coordination, in line with the National Rabies Control Programme.
The minister detailed free provision of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins at every primary, community, taluk, and district health facility, with strict stock maintenance orders. Private hospitals must similarly prepare and treat without prepayments.
Since its designation as a notifiable disease in December 2022, rabies surveillance has improved markedly. Oversight comes via newly formed state and district steering committees.
Eleven key cities—Bengaluru, Belagavi, Ballari, Davangere, Hubli-Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, and Vijayapura—are focal points for the Rabies-Free Cities Initiative, featuring tailored campaigns.
Mass dog inoculations and population control fall under veterinary purview, while urban authorities handle registrations, compliance checks, and sanitation to deter strays.
Medical institutions are upgrading clinics and capacitating staff through targeted training. The concurrent Snakebite Plan, following central directives, targets risk reduction via education, timely anti-venom therapy, worker upskilling, and 2024 notifiability status.
Free treatment is assured for snakebite cases, bypassing payment hurdles in private setups. The initiatives champion unified departmental efforts, equitable care access, and societal engagement.
With a call to action for citizens, private entities, and NGOs, Karnataka aims to pioneer in eliminating rabies deaths and minimizing snakebite tragedies by 2030.