💉 Canine Vaccination: Key to Eliminating Rabies in the Americas

Mass vaccination of dogs is the most effective tool and the primary action to prevent canine rabies, and thus, protect human health.

The Regional Rabies Elimination Program of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), validated by the Directors of Rabies Programs in the Americas (REDIPRA), recommends maintaining a vaccination coverage of 80% of the canine population. This measure is crucial to interrupt the circulation of the virus among susceptible hosts and prevent human rabies cases transmitted by dogs.

In the Americas, in the year 2023, at least 45 million dogs were vaccinated against rabies through public vaccination campaigns. This progress has been made possible thanks to regional mass canine vaccination campaigns, increased social awareness about disease prevention, and expanded access to pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis for 100% of people potentially exposed to the virus.

The results achieved over the last 40 years reflect the positive impact of these joint efforts, and make it possible to state that the elimination of human rabies of canine origin (variants 1 and 2) in the Americas is closer than ever.

🐾 Advances in the Elimination of Human Rabies Transmitted by Dogs in the Americas

In the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), through the Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health Center (PANAFTOSA/SPV-PAHO/WHO), has led the coordination of the Regional Program for the Elimination of Human Rabies Transmitted by Dogs, providing technical cooperation to countries since 1983..

Thanks to the commitment of governments and people in the region, collaborative work between countries, and PAHO's technical support, the Americas have achieved a 98% reduction in cases of human rabies transmitted by dogs, dropping from 300 cases in 1983 to just 10 cases recorded in 2025 (as of September).

Ensuring equitable access to health services and timely treatment in underserved communities not only saves lives but also contributes to strengthening public health systems across the region.

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