Chile has achieved a significant public health milestone by becoming the first country in South America to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies in humans, as confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO). This validation comes after more than 50 years of dedicated prevention and surveillance efforts.
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According to the WHO, the last reported case of dog-to-human rabies in Chile occurred in 1972. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that this accomplishment reflects decades of commitment to safeguarding communities from rabies and underscores the importance of sustained investment in public health. He added that Chile’s success provides valuable insights for other nations aiming to end human fatalities caused by this preventable disease.
Rabies is transmitted primarily through the saliva of infected animals, often via bites, but it can also infect humans if saliva comes into contact with mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. While nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, rabies can be prevented through vaccination, effective surveillance, and timely access to post-exposure prophylaxis.
Chile has enacted strict public health policies focusing on prevention and surveillance, which include extensive vaccination campaigns for pets and individuals who might have been exposed to rabies. The WHO noted that these efforts have been reinforced through door-to-door dog vaccination campaigns, population management measures, and community education initiatives.
During a celebration of this achievement in Santiago, Chilean Health Minister May Chomali commended the collaborative efforts that led to this success. She remarked that the public policy aimed at rabies eradication has produced the desired results at both community and national levels, emphasizing the critical role of local organizations in education, vaccination, and pet control.
Additionally, Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), praised Chile for exemplifying the potential outcomes of investing in vaccination, surveillance, and access to medical care. In the Americas, human cases of dog-transmitted rabies have decreased by over 98% since 1983, with only a handful of cases reported annually. This progress is noteworthy relative to the nearly 60,000 global rabies-related deaths each year, mostly due to dog bites.