Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said no death due to rabies is acceptable.
| Photo Credit: File Photo
Will ensure timely reporting of cases, says Singh; vaccination facilities to be boosted: govt.; move follows orders by SC after it took cognisance of rabies deaths, including that of a 6-year-old girl
The Delhi government is set to declare rabies a notifiable disease to strengthen disease surveillance, ensure timely reporting and prevent rabies-related deaths, Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Sunday.
Underlining that rabies is completely preventable, Mr. Singh told the media that the move will help ensure early detection and stronger prevention measures. “This notification is an important step towards our goal of zero human deaths from rabies in Delhi,” he said, asserting that no death due to rabies is acceptable.
“Once notified, all government and private health facilities, including medical colleges and individual practitioners, will be required to report suspected, probable and confirmed cases of human rabies to the health authorities concerned,” Mr. Singh said.
Rabies, though almost 100% fatal once symptoms appear, can be prevented through timely medical intervention. Early reporting plays a crucial role in saving lives and preventing the spread of the disease.
Boosting facilities
As per the government, anti-rabies vaccines are currently available at 59 health facilities across 11 districts of Delhi while anti-rabies serum (rabies immunoglobulin) is being provided at 33 designated hospitals and health facilities. The government is in the process of finalising the State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination in coordination with local bodies, the Animal Husbandry Department, and other stakeholders. “The government is also strengthening rabies vaccination facilities for humans as well as dogs and other animals,” according to a statement.
The proposed notification will take effect immediately upon issuance and remain in effect until further notice.
Mandatory reporting will help authorities track disease trends, improve coordination between human and animal health systems and implement targeted preventive measures in high-risk areas.
SC directions
The move comes against the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s directions on handling stray dogs after the court took suo motu cognisance of dog-bite incidents and rabies-related deaths, including that of a six-year-old girl. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi currently does not have an official count of the number of dogs. However, data show that between April and September 2025, 54,623 stray dogs were vaccinated. As of July 2025, Delhi recorded 26,334 dog bite cases and 26 confirmed rabies cases.
Published – January 05, 2026 01:46 am IST