Sign in Subscribe
Vaccines

Delhi's Rabies-Free Streak: A Fleeting Mirage or a Lasting Trend?

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent study by the ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairy found that Delhi recorded 6,691 dog bite cases in 2022, 17,874 cases in 2023, 25,210 cases in 2024, and 3,196 in January 2025 alone. Despite this, the city has not recorded a single rabies death since 2022. Experts attribute this to a combination of improved medical care, increased awareness about the importance of vaccination, and the effectiveness of the vaccine itself. However, recent cases in Kerala have raised concerns about the quality of the rabies vaccine and the delay in treatment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The majority of human deaths caused by rabies are attributed to dog bites, accounting for over 96% of fatalities.
  • Delhi has not recorded a single rabies death since 2022, despite a significant number of dog bite cases.
  • Experts recommend that those with flesh wounds receive rabies immune globulin along with the vaccine, as the vaccine takes a couple of days to work while the immune globulin works faster.
  • The National Center for Disease Control runs a helpline for rabies, which can be contacted at 15400.
  • A 2023 study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia found that 56% of dogs tested positive for rabies, compared to 32% in a similar study conducted in 2016.
  • The study also found that six victims, including a 12-year-old child, died despite receiving anti-rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) and vaccine.
  • The effectiveness of the vaccine has come under scrutiny, with experts attributing the delay in treatment as the key cause for deaths.

Statistics:

  • 6,691 dog bite cases recorded in Delhi in 2022
  • 96% of human deaths caused by rabies are attributed to dog bites
  • 17,874 dog bite cases recorded in Delhi in 2023
  • 25,210 dog bite cases recorded in Delhi in 2024
  • 3,196 dog bite cases recorded in Delhi in January 2025
  • 56% of dogs tested positive for rabies in a 2023 study
  • 32% of dogs tested positive for rabies in a similar study conducted in 2016
  • 250 anti-rabies vaccines allegedly administered without quality tests in Kerala

Sources:

  • Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy
  • The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia
  • Hindustan Times

Read more