Parliament Question: Health Risks Posed by Stray Dogs

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 488* TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27THMARCH, 2026 HEALTH RISKS POSED BYSTRAY DOGS †*488. SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR: Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has evaluated the public health risks associated with the stray dogs population including the incidence of rabies along with the measures taken for dog-bite prevention, wound management, community awareness and ensuring availability of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) services across the urban and rural health Institutions; (b) if so, the details of National and State-level programmes aimed at strengthening rabies surveillance, expanding access to anti-rabies vaccines, training healthcare workers in dog-bite management and enhancing community awareness about risk reduction; and (c) the comprehensive National strategy proposed by the Government to reduce morbidity and mortality related to dog-bites, link animal welfare efforts with public health measures and ensure effective public health messaging and equitable vaccination coverage in this regard? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA) (a) to (c) AStatement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLYTO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 488* FOR 27TH MARCH, 2026 (a) to (c) Health is a State subject, the responsibility of strengthening public healthcare system lies with the respective State/ UT Governments. The Government provides both technical and financial support to States and Union Territories (UTs) under the National Health Mission (NHM) to strengthen procurement systems, streamline supply chain management, and improve last-mile distribution. These efforts aim to ensure consistent accessibility, availability, and quality assurance of essential medicines across all public health facilities. TheGovernment of Indiaimplements the NationalRabies ControlProgramme (NRCP) for prevention and control of Rabies. The activities undertaken under NRCP are, conduct of 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 to create awareness. Surveillance of animal bites and rabies is strengthened through near real time digital reporting through Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) from all States & UTs. Human rabies has been declared a notifiable disease in 29 States/UTs. Under NRCP grant in aid is provided to 14 institutes across country for Rabies diagnosis, as a part of laboratory strengthening for enhancing surveillance. Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG)/ Anti-Rabies Serum (ARS) and Anti Rabies Vaccine (ARV) are included in the Indian Public Health Standards Essential Medicines List. States and UTs have also incorporated these medicines into their respective State Essential Drug Lists (EDLs) to ensure their availability at public health facilities. The availability of these vaccines are closely monitored at the national level through the Drug and Vaccine Distribution Management System Central Dashboard, which enables real-time tracking of stock levels, consumption patterns, and potential stock-out situations across States and UTs. Standard training module and National guidelines for rabies prophylaxis has been in use and published on website for free access to all healthcare providers and community. Link: https://rabiesfreeindia.mohfw.gov.in/downloadsThe community awareness and risk reduction is promoted through IEC campaigns, observance of World Rabies Day (28th September), dissemination of guidelines, and the Rabies Helpline (15400). Initiatives such as the Rabies-Free City Initiative and State Action Plans for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE) are being implemented to strengthen local interventions. Link of IECs: https://rabiesfreeindia.mohfw.gov.in/iec To effectively control Rabies, “National Action Plan For Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE)” has been launched by MoHFW along with 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 the link (https://rabiesfreeindia.mohfw.gov.in/resources/uploads/PageContentPdf/ 169391359514.pdf). Municipalities are implementing the Animal Birth Control program to regulate the population of stray dogs. To support effective dog population management, the Central Government notified the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 under the Prevention of Cruelty of Animal Act. These rules focus on the neutering and anti-rabies vaccination of stray dogs as means of population stabilization. Local Bodies are responsible for implementing sterilization and vaccination programmes in collaboration with animal welfare organization. *****