Emergence of rabies among vaccinated humans in India: a public health concern

Rabies is transmitted through the bite of animals infected with rabies, primarily dogs.Globally, dogmediated rabies causes an estimated 59,000 human deaths annually.1 According to WHO, India accounts for 36% of the global deaths due to rabies.India also accounts for 65% of the deaths due to rabies in the South-East Asia region.The National Rabies Control Program reported 6644 clinically suspected cases and deaths of human rabies between 2012 and 2022.In India, the sudden spike in the number of cases of rabies is a major public health concern.Deaths due to rabies among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, especially in the State of Kerala, have caused great public concern.2 In Kerala, the number of infected dogs has doubled in the past five years.Among 300 samples taken from dogs, 168 samples (56%) were found to be positive for rabies,