Tamil Nadu Ramps Up Anti-Rabies Measures Amidst Rising Cases

Chennai – In response to a surge in rabies cases and dog bites, the Tamil Nadu health department has issued a directive to ensure the round-the-clock availability of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) in all districts. This order, announced on January 2nd, comes as the state grapples with a five-year high in rabies-related fatalities.

As per the directive, health officers at district and city levels are required to maintain a minimum stock of 20 ARV vials at all times. The vaccine is to be administered without hesitation in all dog bite cases, regardless of concerns about wastage. The health department has further emphasized that refusals or denials to administer ARV, even at night, will not be tolerated.

This directive comes amidst a stark rise in rabies cases in 2024. As of October, the state recorded 34 human deaths and 6.42 lakh dog bite cases, a significant increase from 18 deaths and 4.41 lakh cases in 2023. The state health department is currently compiling updated data on rabies cases and deaths.

Rabies, a 100% fatal disease, poses a significant public health concern. In contrast to Tamil Nadu's zero fatalities from diseases like malaria, chikungunya, and scrub typhus in 2024, rabies highlights the urgent need for effective control measures.

The lack of reliable data on the dog population in many districts further complicates the issue. Accurate population estimates are crucial for planning vaccination drives and sterilization surgeries under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program. While cities like Chennai and Coimbatore have conducted dog censuses, many others lack this vital information.

The Nilgiris district, however, stands out as a success story, having remained rabies-free for the past 15 years due to consistent and intensive vaccination efforts. Animal rights activist Sundar Raj emphasizes the importance of testing dogs with rabies symptoms to prevent the spread of the disease. “A rabid dog would have bitten many other dogs before dying. These dogs develop rabies within 2–15 days. If the rabid dog is not tested and ring vaccination is not conducted, the virus keeps spreading,” he warned.

In addition to addressing rabies, the Tamil Nadu health department's statement also provided updates on snake bite cases. The state reported 7,310 snake bite cases until June 2024, a significant decrease from 19,795 cases in 2023. Health officials have been directed to ensure the availability of Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) at all Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres, maintaining a minimum stock of 10 vials. All snake bite victims should receive ASV before referral to tertiary care facilities.