NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR DOG MEDIATED RABIES ELIMINATION (NAPRE)

NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR DOG MEDIATED RABIES ELIMINATION (NAPRE)

Context:

At the World Rabies Day celebrations, the Union Minister for Health and Union Minister of Animal Husbandry unveiled the National Action Plan for dog Mediated Rabies Elimination by 2030 (NAPRE).

Key Highlights:

• Ministers have urged all the States and UTs to make rabies a known disease. They also unveiled a “Joint Inter-Ministerial Declaration Support Statement” for the Elimination of Dog-Related Rabies in India by 2030 through the One Health Approach.
• Villagers in India call the disease ‘Hadakwa’ which is not uncommon in English. The mere mention of ‘Hadakwa’ creates fear in rural areas. They advised the senior officials to use the more common term ‘Hadakwa’ in expanding the activities under the Program.

Rabies:

• It is usually transmitted through an animal bite, for example, from stray dogs.
• Symptoms include excess salivation, fever, headache, muscle spasms, paralysis and mental confusion.
• Immediate medical attention is advised after a bite or suspected bite.
• There is no particular treatment for rabies.
• It is 100% fatal but 100% vaccine-preventable.
• 33% of global rabies deaths are recorded in India.