Chile has become the first country in South America to receive validation from the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem. This recognition underscores over 50 years of efforts without a reported human case of rabies and affirms the country's ability to prevent the disease from re-emerging.
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Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, praised Chile for this historic achievement, noting that it reflects a long-term commitment to protecting communities from rabies and highlights the impact of consistent investment in public health. Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, WHO Regional Director for the Americas, stated that Chile's success illustrates what regional cooperation can achieve when countries dedicate resources to vaccination, surveillance, and care access.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can be prevented through vaccination and prompt treatment after exposure. Chile's last case of human rabies transmitted by dogs occurred in 1972, following a series of national initiatives focused on vaccination, surveillance, and community education. The country maintains a National Rabies Prevention and Control Programme, featuring mass vaccination campaigns and timely post-exposure prophylaxis.
Minister of Health Dr. May Chomalí expressed pride in the validation, attributing it to comprehensive public policies and community cooperation. To achieve WHO validation, Chile demonstrated a sustained absence of human rabies, alongside robust vaccination and surveillance systems, culminating in a technical dossier that was reviewed by international experts.
This accomplishment aligns with broader regional efforts, as human cases of dog-mediated rabies across the Americas have decreased by over 98% since 1983. Chile's achievement contributes to the Pan American Health Organization's goals of eliminating dog-transmitted rabies and other communicable diseases in the region by 2030.
Globally, dog-transmitted rabies continues to cause tens of thousands of deaths annually, particularly in Asia and Africa. Chile’s experience exemplifies how sustained investment in vaccination and surveillance can eliminate this preventable disease. It also reflects the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health sectors to control diseases that spread between species.
In addition to rabies, Chile was previously verified by WHO for eliminating leprosy, marking its second achievement in eradicating a neglected tropical disease. This progress highlights the country’s commitment to public health and effective disease control.