Rabies in india: past, present, and future

Rabies remains one of the most enduring and deadly zoonotic diseases, posing a persistent public-health challenge in India. Despite being entirely preventable, India continues to bear the highest global burden of dog-mediated human rabies. Recent epidemiological analyses suggest a lower mortality rate than previously estimated, yet significant gaps in surveillance and access to care persist. This review synthesizes historical context, current epidemiology, national strategies, and emerging innovations, drawing on Indian research and policy frameworks. It underscores the critical role of mass dog vaccination, integrated bite case management (IBCM), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and One Health collaboration in achieving the “Zero by 30” target—eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.