Bhutan becomes the first WHO South-East Asia country to eliminate dog-transmitted human rabies, achieving success through vaccination, surveillance, and One Health collaboration.
Bhutan has become the first country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve validation for eliminating dog-transmitted human rabies as a public health problem, marking a major milestone in rabies prevention and control.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Bhutan’s achievement following a rigorous assessment of the country’s long-term rabies control programme. The success reflects more than a decade of coordinated action under a One Health approach, which recognises the close connection between human health, animal health and the environment.
Rabies remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. Once clinical symptoms develop, the disease is almost invariably fatal. However, dog-mediated rabies is preventable through widespread dog vaccination, rapid identification of exposures and timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
🎉 Congratulations #Bhutan on becoming the first country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem!
This has been made possible with sustained efforts and investment in a One Health approach — proof that human, animal &… pic.twitter.com/4ZUI25axU5
— World Health Organization South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) September 4, 2026
Bhutan’s one-health approach to rabies
Bhutan’s achievement has been driven by close cooperation between human health and veterinary authorities. Instead of treating rabies solely as a human health issue, the country integrated animal vaccination, disease surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, and community engagement.
Health workers and veterinarians work together to identify possible rabies exposures and conduct field investigations when required. This coordinated approach helps authorities respond quickly to suspected cases while monitoring the risk of transmission among animals and humans. The programme also prioritised strategic resource allocation and integrated surveillance systems, allowing authorities to identify potential public health threats and respond efficiently.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted Bhutan’s experience as evidence that tackling rabies requires collaboration across sectors rather than isolated interventions.
Why dog vaccination is critical
Dogs are responsible for the vast majority of human rabies infections globally. Mass dog vaccination is therefore one of the most effective strategies for preventing human rabies deaths. When a person is bitten or potentially exposed to a rabid animal, immediate medical attention is essential. Depending on the exposure, rabies PEP may include thorough wound washing, rabies vaccines, and, for certain severe exposures, rabies immunoglobulin.
Prompt treatment is crucial because rabies virus travels through the nervous system toward the brain. Once neurological symptoms appear, treatment options are extremely limited.
How WHO validated Bhutan’s achievement
The WHO validation involved a detailed technical review based on established criteria for eliminating dog-mediated human rabies as a public health problem.
A WHO-supported review group, with assistance from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), conducted a two-phase assessment from August 17 to 22. Reviewers examined surveillance and programme records, visited health facilities and laboratories, assessed information systems and travelled to the Bhutan-India border.
The assessment also included consultations with health professionals, veterinary authorities and other stakeholders to verify that Bhutan had sustained the systems required to prevent and detect rabies transmission.
