Lok Sabha Question No. 375 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-21
Subject: Mortality due to Rabies
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dean Kuriakose

(a) to (e):

Union Health Ministry has launched the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) for prevention and control of Rabies. To effectively control rabies, 'National Action Plan For Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE) from India by 2030' has been launched by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare alongwith Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India. As reported by States/UTs in IDSP , State/UT-wise details of the fatalities due to rabies infection is at Annexure I.

As per the information provided by the State Government of Kerala, Vaccines are procured through Kerala Medical Services Corporation (KMSCL) through open tender process . The stock position of vaccines and immunoglobulins are being monitored on a daily basis at district and state levels so that available vaccines are distributed judiciously. If necessary, rabies biologicals are also mobilised from neighbouring states

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 375 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2023

## MORTALITYDUE TO RABIES

## 375. ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the fatalities due to Rabies infection caused by dog bite and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to improve the availability of anti-rabies vaccines/medicines in the Government hospitals in Kerala;
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to control/curb stray dogs in Kerala;
- (d) whether the Government is likely to empower the local self-government to cull stray dogs as a means to control attack by them; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (PROF. SATYA PAL SINGH BAGHEL)

such as Tamilnadu. In cases of emergency, institutions can also purchase vaccines/immunoglobulins directly from the open market using local purchase mechanisms.

As informed by Govt of Kerala several initiatives have been taken to control stray dogs in Kerala including :

- i. Government has initiated concerted efforts involving all stakeholders including the key departments of Local Self Governance Institute(LSGI) , Animal Husbandry and Health.
- ii. Intersectoral meetings have been convened by the respective Ministers with decisions to undertake animal birth control activities, mass dog vaccination, ensuring infrastructure & antirabies immunologicals in hospitals and intense IEC activities.
- iii. IEC activities have been intensified in print, audio-visual and social media regarding need for wound washing & post-exposure prophylaxis after animal bites, responsible pet ownership, pet vaccination and adequate waste management.
- iv. Animal Birth Control (ABC) activities have been intensified by the LSGI department with the help of Animal Husbandry department. Guidelines have been issued for undertaking the ABC activities with LSGI project funds and includes training of dog-catchers and setting up of infrastructure.
- v. Mass dog vaccination (pet dogs & stray dogs) have been ongoing during the months of September, October and November 2022 and mass dog vaccination drive are conducted every year during the month of September.
- vi. Capacity buildings of health-care workers are being conducted on an ongoing basis in all districts regarding first aid, wound care, categorization of wounds, post exposure prophylaxis and administration of intradermal vaccine & immunoglobulins.
- vii. Rabies has been included as a Notifiable Disease under the provisions of the Kerala Public Health Ordinance 2022.
8. viii.Joint Steering Committee for preparation of State Action Plan for Elimination of Dog Mediated Rabies (SAPRE) has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary and the first meeting was held on 16th November, 2022.

According to State Government of Kerala, culling of stray dogs as a means to control dog bites are not allowed as per existing rules

*****

Annexure I

| State/UT-wise details of the fatalities due to Rabies infection   | State/UT-wise details of the fatalities due to Rabies infection   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| State/UTs                                                         | 2022                                                              |
| Andhra Pradesh                                                    | 29                                                                |
| Arunachal Pradesh                                                 | 1                                                                 |
| Assam                                                             | 12                                                                |
| Bihar                                                             | 21                                                                |
| Chandigarh                                                        | 0                                                                 |
| Chhattisgarh                                                      | 2                                                                 |
| Dadar Nagar Haveli& Daman Diu                                     | 0                                                                 |
| Delhi                                                             | 48                                                                |
| Goa                                                               | 1                                                                 |
| Gujarat                                                           | 6                                                                 |
| Haryana                                                           | 0                                                                 |
| Himachal Pradesh                                                  | 1                                                                 |
| Jammu                                                             | 4                                                                 |
| Jharkhand                                                         | 4                                                                 |
| Karnataka                                                         | 29                                                                |
| Kashmir                                                           | 1                                                                 |
| Kerala                                                            | 27                                                                |
| Madhya Pradesh                                                    | 4                                                                 |
| Maharashtra                                                       | 29                                                                |
| Manipur                                                           | 2                                                                 |
| Meghalaya                                                         | 0                                                                 |
| Mizoram                                                           | 0                                                                 |
| Nagaland                                                          | 0                                                                 |
| Puducherry                                                        | 0                                                                 |
| Odisha                                                            | NA                                                                |
| Punjab                                                            | 2                                                                 |
| Rajasthan                                                         | 0                                                                 |
| Sikkim                                                            | 0                                                                 |
| Tamilnadu                                                         | 20                                                                |
| Telangana                                                         | 21                                                                |
| Tripura                                                           | 0                                                                 |
| UT Ladakh                                                         | 0                                                                 |
| Uttar Pradesh                                                     | 5                                                                 |
| Uttarakhand                                                       | 0                                                                 |
| West Bengal                                                       | 38                                                                |