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Rachel V Thomas

Chile Eliminates Dog-Transmitted Rabies: What Other Countries Can Learn

<span>Chile</span> has become the first country in South America to eliminate dog-transmitted <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/rabies">rabies</a></span> as a public health problem, marking a major milestone in the fight against a disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

The achievement follows more than five decades without a human case of rabies transmitted by dogs, supported by sustained dog vaccination, disease surveillance and timely access to post-exposure treatment.

“I congratulate the government and people of Chile on this historic achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“This validation reflects decades of commitment to protecting communities from rabies and demonstrates the impact of sustained investment in public health. Chile’s success offers valuable lessons for countries working to end human deaths from this preventable disease,” he added.

<h2>How Chile Eliminated Dog-Transmitted Rabies</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/bhutan-eliminates-rabies-while-india-battles-persistent-deaths-what-can-india-learn-from-its-neighbour-article-156103324" data-type="tilCustomLink">Bhutan Eliminates Rabies While India Battles Persistent Deaths: What Can India Learn From Its Neighbor?'</a>

WHO recognizes elimination when transmission among dogs has stopped, no human deaths from dog-mediated rabies have occurred for at least two years, and the country can prevent the disease from returning.

Chile’s last reported case of human rabies transmitted by dogs occurred in 1972. 

Since then, the country has sustained efforts including timely vaccination for people exposed to the virus through bites, scratches or contact with saliva from infected or suspected rabid dogs.

<ul><li>Door-to-door dog vaccination campaigns</li><li>Targeted dog population management</li><li>Community awareness and education</li><li>Free mass vaccination for dogs and cats</li><li>Epidemiological surveillance</li><li>Strengthened laboratory diagnosis</li><li>Monitoring of rabies virus in animals</li><li>Timely access to post-exposure prophylaxis.</li></ul>

More recently, Chile has expanded preventive vaccination and surveillance to border areas at higher risk of rabies reintroduction.

Chile’s achievement builds on decades of coordinated action across the Americas, where human cases of dog-mediated rabies have fallen by more than 98% since 1983.

It also contributes to the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Disease Elimination Initiative, which aims to eliminate more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030.

While the Americas has made significant progress, dog-transmitted rabies still causes tens of thousands of deaths globally each year, primarily in Asia and Africa.

Chile’s success shows how sustained investment in prevention, surveillance and access to care can bring this deadly but preventable disease to the point of elimination.

It also highlights the value of the One Health approach, bringing together human, animal and environmental health sectors to prevent and control diseases that spread between animals and people.

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-cdc-warns-of-rising-human-rabies-exposure-risk-how-to-stay-safe-article-156137135" data-type="tilCustomLink">US CDC Warns Of Rising Human Rabies Exposure Risk: How To Stay Safe</a>

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable zoonotic disease that is almost invariably fatal once symptoms appear. However, deaths can be prevented through timely post-exposure prophylaxis, including wound care and vaccination.

Dogs account for up to 99% of human rabies transmissions globally.

Public education on dog behavior, bite prevention, appropriate action after a bite or scratch, and responsible pet ownership is also essential to rabies prevention.

Rabies is also one of 21 neglected tropical diseases (<span>NTD</span>s), which affect one billion people globally. As of September 2026, 65 countries had eliminated at least one NTD, including seven in the Americas.

Chile’s validation for rabies marks its second NTD elimination achievement; earlier this year, it was verified by WHO for the elimination of leprosy, becoming the first country in the Americas to achieve this target.

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Chile has become the first country in South America to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem, marking a major milestone in the fight against a disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.The achievement follows more than five decades without a human case of rabies transmitted by dogs, supported by sustained dog vaccination, disease surveillance and timely access to post-exposure treatment.“I congratulate the government and people of Chile on this historic achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.“This validation reflects decades of commitment to protecting communities from rabies and demonstrates the impact of sustained investment in public health. Chile’s success offers valuable lessons for countries working to end human deaths from this preventable disease,” he added.How Chile Eliminated Dog-Transmitted RabiesAlso read: Bhutan Eliminates Rabies While India Battles Persistent Deaths: What Can India Learn From Its Neighbor?'WHO recognizes elimination when transmission among dogs has stopped, no human deaths from dog-mediated rabies have occurred for at least two years, and the country can prevent the disease from returning.Chile’s last reported case of human rabies transmitted by dogs occurred in 1972. Since then, the country has sustained efforts including timely vaccination for people exposed to the virus through bites, scratches or contact with saliva from infected or suspected rabid dogs.These efforts were supported by:Door-to-door dog vaccination campaignsTargeted dog population managementCommunity awareness and educationFree mass vaccination for dogs and catsEpidemiological surveillanceStrengthened laboratory diagnosisMonitoring of rabies virus in animalsTimely access to post-exposure prophylaxis.More recently, Chile has expanded preventive vaccination and surveillance to border areas at higher risk of rabies reintroduction.What Chile’s Success TeachesChile’s achievement builds on decades of coordinated action across the Americas, where human cases of dog-mediated rabies have fallen by more than 98% since 1983.It also contributes to the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Disease Elimination Initiative, which aims to eliminate more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030.While the Americas has made significant progress, dog-transmitted rabies still causes tens of thousands of deaths globally each year, primarily in Asia and Africa.Chile’s success shows how sustained investment in prevention, surveillance and access to care can bring this deadly but preventable disease to the point of elimination.It also highlights the value of the One Health approach, bringing together human, animal and environmental health sectors to prevent and control diseases that spread between animals and people.Read More: US CDC Warns Of Rising Human Rabies Exposure Risk: How To Stay SafeWhat Is Rabies?Rabies is a vaccine-preventable zoonotic disease that is almost invariably fatal once symptoms appear. However, deaths can be prevented through timely post-exposure prophylaxis, including wound care and vaccination.Dogs account for up to 99% of human rabies transmissions globally.Public education on dog behavior, bite prevention, appropriate action after a bite or scratch, and responsible pet ownership is also essential to rabies prevention.Rabies is also one of 21 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which affect one billion people globally. As of September 2026, 65 countries had eliminated at least one NTD, including seven in the Americas.Chile’s validation for rabies marks its second NTD elimination achievement; earlier this year, it was verified by WHO for the elimination of leprosy, becoming the first country in the Americas to achieve this target.

chile eliminates dog-transmitted rabies: what other countries can learn

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