**Summary:**
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addressed Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1041 on July 25, 2025, regarding deaths due to rabies and the government's response. The National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP), managed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), is in place to prevent and control rabies. Key strategies include training on animal bite management, rabies prevention and control, surveillance, inter-sectoral coordination, strengthening animal bite surveillance, providing Anti-Rabies Vaccine through the National Free Drug Initiative, and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities for awareness. To further control rabies, the National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE) has been launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying. Details on NAPRE's implementation are available at https:rabiesfreeindia.mohfw.gov.inresourcesuploadsPageContentPdf169391359514.pdf. In 2024, States/UTs procured 1.33 crore vials of Anti-Rabies vaccine, with 1.26 crore vials utilized. Data was received from States/UTs through NRCP monthly reporting.
Key Entities Referenced
Rabies: A viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in humans and animals.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health policy.
National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE): A national plan launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare along with the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying to eliminate dog-mediated rabies.
National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP): A program launched by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for the prevention and control of rabies.
National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC): An institute under the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for disease control.
Anti-Rabies Vaccine: A vaccine used to prevent rabies infection.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: A ministry of the Government of India.
2024: Year in which 1.33 crore vials of AntiRabies vaccines had been procured by 36 States/UTs
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1041
TO BE ANSWERED ON25.07.2025
DEATH DUETO RABIES
1041 ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE,:
DR. PRABHAMALLIKARJUN:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleased tostate:-
(a) the total number of people who have died due to Rabies during the last five years in the
country, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the Government isaware of the reasons for increase inrabiescases andif so, the
detailsthereof;
(c) whether the Government has taken any precautionary measures to reduce such incidents
andif so, the detailsthereof; and
(d) whether the Government is aware of the number of anti-rabies vaccine provided and the
progress, present status of National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination
(NAPRE) scheme andif so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH & FAMILY
WELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) to (d): National Centre for Disease Control(NCDC) has launched the National Rabies
Control Programme (NRCP) for prevention and control of Rabies. The strategies of National
Rabies Control Programme are to conduct training on appropriate animal bite management,
prevention and control of Rabies, surveillance and intersectoral coordination, strengthening
surveillance of Animal Bites, provision of procurement of Anti-Rabies Vaccine for animal
bite victims through the National Free Drug Initiative and Information, Education &
Communication(IEC) activities tocreateawareness.
Further, to effectively control Rabies, “National Action Plan For Dog Mediated
Rabies Elimination (NAPRE)” has been launched by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
alongwith Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India. The
details about present status of implementation of activities envisaged under NAPRE can be
seen at
-https://rabiesfreeindia.mohfw.gov.in/resources/uploads/PageContentPdf/169391359514.pdf
As per the information received from States/UTs through NRCP monthly reporting,
total 1.33 crore vials of Anti-Rabies vaccines had been procured by 36 States/UTs in year
2024,wherein 1.26crore vialswere utilizedinthe same year.
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