Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the decision will ensure timely monitoring and treatment of rabies cases. “With this step, there will be no delay in patient care, and authorities will have accurate data to prevent fatalities,” she added. Following the directive, all government and private hospitals, medical colleges, and private practitioners in Delhi are now legally required to report cases of rabies without delay.
Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh emphasized the zero-tolerance approach towards rabies-related deaths. “Not a single death due to rabies is acceptable. Immediate reporting and treatment are critical to saving lives,” he stated.
The Delhi government is also preparing a State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination, aimed at reducing fatalities caused by dog bites and controlling the spread of the virus in urban areas.
Official data underscores the urgency of the issue. According to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), 49 cases of rabies were reported in 2025, alongside 35,198 dog bite incidents. While the central government previously stated in Parliament that no rabies deaths occurred in Delhi between 2022 and 2024, an RTI revealed that approximately 18 people succumbed to the disease during that period.
Rabies is a viral infection typically transmitted through bites, scratches, or saliva contact from infected animals such as dogs, cats, and monkeys. The virus attacks the human brain and nervous system, and if untreated, it can cause coma or death. Children under 15 years account for nearly 60% of reported cases and deaths in India, as bite incidents among children often go unreported, according to World Health Organization (WHO) data. Globally, rabies claims approximately 59,000 lives annually, with India reporting around 20,000 deaths each year.
Symptoms of rabies initially include tingling or itching around the bite site, high fever, and muscle pain. As the virus spreads to the brain, neurological symptoms develop, the most characteristic being hydrophobia, or fear of water. Sensitivity to air currents or strong winds is also common in advanced stages.
By making rabies a notifiable disease, Delhi authorities aim to strengthen surveillance, facilitate rapid treatment, and prevent further loss of life. Public awareness campaigns and vaccination drives are expected to accompany the new directive.
