{"id":12834,"date":"2026-09-09T09:40:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T09:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=12834"},"modified":"2026-09-09T09:40:02","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T09:40:02","slug":"bhutan-becomes-first-who-south-east-asia-country-to-eliminate-dog-transmitted-rabies-as-a-public-health-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=12834","title":{"rendered":"Bhutan Becomes First WHO South-East Asia Country to Eliminate Dog-Transmitted Rabies as a Public Health Problem."},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

Bhutan Becomes First WHO South-East Asia Country to Eliminate Dog-Transmitted Rabies as a Public Health Problem.<\/h1>\n

WHO validates Bhutan\u2019s achievement after rigorous assessment; country records zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies since June 2023.<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thimphu:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Bhutan\u2019s elimination of dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem, making Bhutan the first country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone.<\/p>\n

The achievement marks a significant step towards the global goal of ending human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030 and demonstrates the impact of sustained action involving human health, veterinary services, communities and environmental systems.<\/p>\n

Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms develop. However, deaths from rabies are preventable through vaccination of dogs and timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following exposure to the virus.<\/p>\n

Sustained efforts under One Health approach<\/h4>\n

Bhutan\u2019s success is the result of more than a decade of sustained investment in a One Health approach, which recognises the close links between the health of people, animals and ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Under this approach, Bhutan has strengthened resource allocation, integrated disease surveillance and strategic planning across sectors. When suspected rabies cases are reported, human and animal health authorities work together to identify potential exposures and, where required, conduct joint field investigations.<\/p>\n

The coordinated system has helped strengthen dog vaccination, dog population management, surveillance and community awareness throughout the country.<\/p>\n

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated Bhutan on the achievement, saying the country had demonstrated that the fight against rabies requires cooperation across sectors rather than isolated action.<\/p>\n

He highlighted Bhutan\u2019s success as an example of how collaboration between health workers, veterinarians and communities can contribute to protecting human and animal health.<\/p>\n

Zero human deaths since June 2023<\/h4>\n

A key factor in WHO\u2019s validation was Bhutan\u2019s sustained record of zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies since June 2023.<\/p>\n

The country has combined preventive vaccination of dogs with access to post-exposure treatment for people who may have been exposed to rabies.<\/p>\n

PEP includes thorough washing of the wound, administration of an appropriate course of human rabies vaccine and, when indicated, an injection of rabies immunoglobulin.<\/p>\n

Rigorous WHO assessment confirms achievement<\/h4>\n

WHO\u2019s validation followed a comprehensive assessment based on established criteria.<\/p>\n

The regional Dossier Review Group, convened by WHO with support from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), conducted a two-phase review comprising a detailed assessment of Bhutan\u2019s submitted dossier and a field mission from August 17 to 22, 2026.<\/p>\n

During the field mission, the review team verified evidence through visits to national, regional and sub-district health facilities, laboratory walk-throughs and examination of programme records and information systems.<\/p>\n

The team also visited the Bhutan\u2013India border area and consulted programme staff and stakeholders involved in the country\u2019s multisectoral rabies-control efforts.<\/p>\n

Strong leadership and community participation<\/h4>\n

WHO said Bhutan\u2019s achievement was driven by strong national leadership and sustained collaboration between government institutions and communities.<\/p>\n

Dr Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Region, said Bhutan had demonstrated that eliminating dog-mediated human rabies is possible when national leadership, a mature One Health approach and community participation are brought together around a common objective.<\/p>\n

The efforts of health workers, veterinary professionals and De-suung volunteers, known as \u201cGuardians of Peace,\u201d played an important role in extending dog vaccination, population management and public awareness activities across the country.<\/p>\n

Universal access to post-exposure treatment to continue<\/h4>\n

Bhutan plans to maintain the systems that have supported its rabies-free status.<\/p>\n

Universal and free access to PEP will continue across all 20 Dzongkhags (districts). Mass dog vaccination, dog population management and integrated human-animal surveillance will also continue under the next phase of the Nationwide Accelerated Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Programme (NADPM&RCP).<\/p>\n

These efforts will be supported through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on One Health (IMCOH).<\/p>\n

Bhutan also plans to strengthen cross-border coordination with neighbouring Indian states to protect the progress achieved and reduce the risk of reintroduction of rabies.<\/p>\n

Recognition of national and international partnership<\/h4>\n

Bhutan\u2019s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock led the national effort, working with the De-suung national volunteer service, local governments and communities.<\/p>\n

The Bhutan Health Trust Fund and other partners, including the Pandemic Fund, provided financial support, while WHO and WOAH contributed technical assistance.<\/p>\n

Dr Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh, WHO Representative to Bhutan, said the validation was built on years of investment in the One Health approach and universal health coverage. She added that WHO would continue supporting Bhutan in sustaining and strengthening the systems that made the achievement possible.<\/p>\n

Major milestone in regional rabies elimination<\/h4>\n

Bhutan\u2019s achievement provides a significant model for other countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region seeking to eliminate human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies.<\/p>\n

The country\u2019s experience highlights the importance of sustained dog vaccination, effective population management, accessible post-exposure treatment, integrated surveillance and strong community engagement.<\/p>\n

With its latest WHO validation, Bhutan has demonstrated that coordinated action across human and animal health sectors can successfully prevent a disease that remains almost universally fatal once symptoms appear, while offering a practical pathway towards the wider regional and global goal of ending human deaths from dog-mediated rabies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bhutan Becomes First WHO South-East Asia Country to Eliminate Dog-Transmitted Rabies as a Public Health Problem. WHO validates Bhutan\u2019s achievement after rigorous assessment; country records […]<\/p>\n

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