(AGENPARL) - Roma, 4 Settembre 2026 - Friday, 4 September 2026

Thimphu/New Delhi/Geneva, 4 September 2026 — The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Bhutan's elimination of dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem in the country. Bhutan is the first country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve this success.

Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms appear. However, rabies deaths are preventable. On one hand, vaccinating dogs curbs the disease at its source; on the other, prompt use of post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) stops the virus from reaching the central nervous system after a bite. PEP consists of thorough wound washing, administration of a course of human rabies vaccine and, when indicated, rabies immunoglobulins (RIG) injection.

"I congratulate Bhutan on this historic achievement, which is another step towards our goal to end human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "Bhutan's success shows that the health of humans, animals and the environment we share is inextricably linked. By uniting health workers, veterinarians, and communities, Bhutan has shown that the fight against rabies is won not in silos, but through solidarity across all sectors."

One Health at the core of Bhutan's success

Bhutan's achievement is a result of more than a decade of sustained investment in a One Health approach, which recognizes that the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems is closely interlinked. Changes in these relationships can increase the risk of diseases emerging and spreading among both humans and animals. One Health promotes the optimization of human, animal, plant and ecosystem health through coordinated and integrated actions across sectors.

Through this approach, Bhutan has prioritized resource allocation, integrated surveillance, and strategic planning. The approach has proven effective in addressing public health challenges such as rabies. When a suspected rabies case is reported, animal and human health authorities collaborate to identify potential exposures and, when necessary, conduct joint field investigations under the One Health framework.

"Bhutan has shown that eliminating dog-mediated human rabies is possible when strong national leadership, a mature One Health approach and communities come together around a shared goal. The dedication of health workers, veterinary professionals and De-suung volunteers known as 'Guardians of Peace' helped take dog vaccination, population management and community awareness to every part of the country. Bhutan's achievement offers an important example for other countries in the Region," said Dr Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Region.