Strategic framework for elimination of human rabies transmitted by dogs in the south-east Asia region

Dog bites are the primary source of human infection in rabies-endemic countries and account for 96% of rabies cases in the South-East Asia Region. Elimination of human rabies is dependent on elimination of dog rabies. Some countries have a comprehensive rabies control programme but it is a neglected area in others. New innovative tools and techniques have been developed in recent years to improve dog vaccination coverage, dog population management and accessibility of modern rabies vaccines. Considering the importance of consolidating achievements in rabies control in Member countries, the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia has developed a regional strategy for elimination of human rabies transmitted by dogs in the Region. The strategy aims to eliminate human rabies through progressive control of dog rabies and human rabies prophylaxis in rabies-endemic countries and to maintain the rabies free status in rabies-free areas of the South-East Asia Region by 2020.