Context
• The Delhi government plans to declare rabies a notifiable disease to strengthen surveillance and prevent deaths.
• The decision follows Supreme Court directions after taking cognisance of rabies deaths linked to stray dog bites.
• Mandatory reporting by all public and private health facilities is expected to ensure early detection and timely treatment.
• The stated aim is to achieve zero human deaths from rabies in Delhi.
• Measures include improved vaccination availability, systematic reporting of bite cases, and coordination between human and animal health systems under the One Health approach.
What is a Notifiable Disease?
• A notifiable disease is one that must be mandatorily reported to government health authorities upon diagnosis.
Purpose
• To track disease trends
• To enable rapid public health response
• To prevent outbreaks and fatalities
Examples in India
• Tuberculosis
• Cholera
• COVID-19 (earlier)
• Plague (state-specific lists)
