Background Rabies is responsible for extensive morbidity and mortality in India. The disease is endemic throughout the country. With the exception of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands, human cases of rabies are reported from all over the country. The cases occur throughout the year. About 96% of the mortality and morbidity is associated with dog bites. Cats, wolf, jackal, mongoose and monkeys are other important reservoirs of rabies in India. Bat rabies has not been conclusively reported from the country. To address the issue of rabies in the country, National Rabies Control Programme was approved during 12th FYP by Standing Finance Committee meeting held on 03.10.2013 as Central Sector Scheme to be implemented under the Umbrella of National Health Mission. Aim of NRCP To reduce mortality due to Rabies among human beings and progressively achieve the Global Target of reducing deaths due to Rabies to “Zero by the year 2030”. Objectives To facilitate prompt management of animal bite cases in humans by appropriate post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Advocacy for states to adopt and implement Intradermal route of Post exposure prophylaxis for Animal bite Victims and Pre-exposure prophylaxis for high risk categories. Training of Health Care professionals on appropriate Animal bite management and Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis. Strengthening Surveillance of animal bites and Human Rabies cases Strengthening of Network of Laboratories under NRCP for Human Rabies Diagnosis. Creating awareness in the community through Advocacy & Communication and Social Mobilization. Programme components The Programme had two components – Human and Animal Components. Human Component for roll out in the all States and UTs through nodal agency National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India Animal Health Component for pilot testing in Haryana and Chennai through nodal agency Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) under the aegis of MoEF&CC, GOI. Animal Health Component by AWBI has been ended with effect from 31.3.2017. The Human Health Component has been rolled out in 26 States and UTs. The Strategies of the National Rabies Control Program are as follows: To Ensure availability of Anti Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Anti Rabies Serum (ARS) to all Animal Bite Victims at all levels of health facilities Capacity building of professionals in appropriate animal bite management Strengthening Surveillance of animal bites and Rabies cases in human. To strengthen diagnostics capacity on Rabies Information Education and communication (IEC) for increasing awareness about the diseases and the importance of seeking timely and appropriate treatment for animal bites National Action Plan For Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India jointly launched ‘National Action Plan For Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE) from India by 2030’. The stray dog population control and management of the stray dogs is the mandate of the local bodies. The Central Government has framed the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2023 which is to be implemented by the local authority to control the population of stray dogs. The main focus of the rules is on anti-rabies vaccination of stray dogs and neutering of stray dogs as means of population stabilization. To know more, click here. Source : NCDC Related resources National Guidelines for Rabies Prophylaxis Rabies: General Aspects & Laboratory Diagnostic Techniques, 2022 Awareness material on Rabies Related circularas of Animal Welfare Board of India