The state health authority of Tamil Nadu has announced new guidelines to guarantee the continuous availability of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) in all districts and cities in response to a notable increase in dog bite incidences and rabies-related fatalities throughout the state. Local health officers have been directed by the Tamil Nadu Director of Public Health (DPH) to always have at least 20 vials of ARV on hand and to provide the vaccine right away in any incidence of dog bite, without hesitation or fear of waste.
No refusal to deliver ARV will be accepted, and officials have been specifically told to offer the vaccine at all times, including at night.
Concerning Increase in Dog Bite and Rabies-Related Deaths in Tamil Nadu
In 2024, the number of dog bites and rabies-related deaths in the state has sharply increased. By October, Tamil Nadu had recorded 6.42 lakh dog bite cases and 34 rabies-related deaths—the most in five years. In contrast, there were just 18 rabies fatalities and 4.41 lakh dog bite occurrences in the prior year. These numbers demonstrate the region’s escalating public health emergency.
Officials from the health department said that new data on rabies fatalities and cases is being gathered right now, highlighting the critical need for action. Due of its 100% death rate, rabies is still a major public health problem. The increase of rabies is especially concerning because, in contrast, the state has been able to prevent deaths from other illnesses in 2024, including as chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria.
Managing Rabies and Dog Population Data Presents Difficulties
Managing rabies has become increasingly challenging in many regions due to the absence of trustworthy data on the dog population. Planning vaccination programs and performing sterilization procedures as part of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program depend on precise population estimates for dogs.
Many districts lack this vital information, even though others, like Chennai and Coimbatore, have conducted dog population censuses. This lack of data has made it more difficult for local authorities to adequately address the rabies problem.
Nilgiris Success: An Example of Rabies Prevention
Because of persistent and vigorous vaccination campaigns, one district, Nilgiris, has been able to prevent rabies for the previous 15 years. Nilgiris animal rights campaigner Sundar Raj explained how the district came to this conclusion: “We conducted vaccinations from door to home. At first, there was opposition, but we persuaded them.
Raj also stressed how crucial it is to examine pets exhibiting rabies signs. Before passing away, a rabid dog would have bitten a lot of other canines. Within two to fifteen days, these dogs get rabies. The infection will continue to spread if the rabid dog is not diagnosed and ring vaccination is not administered, he said. His remarks emphasize how crucial it is to take preventative action in order to stop the spread of rabies.
Resolving Cases of Snake Bite in Tamil Nadu
In addition to the rabies problem, there has been an increase in snake bites in Tamil Nadu. 7,310 snake bites have been reported in the state by June 2024, a sharp decline from the 19,795 instances reported in 2023. As a result, district authorities have been directed by the health department to make sure that anti-snake venom (ASV) is accessible at every Primary Health Center (PHC) and Community Health Center (CHC).
All patients of snake bites should get ASV before being sent to tertiary care institutions, and a minimum supply of ten vials of the drug must always be kept on hand. The health department streamlined the procedure for prompt treatment by stating that a test dosage is not required prior to delivering ASV.
