Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian on World Population Day guaranteed the public that rabies is not prevalent in the state. Addressing a gathering in Chennai, he stated, “Rabies is under control and not a major problem in Tamil Nadu,” crediting it to the initiatives of local bodies in cities and towns in controlling the population of stray dogs effectively.
The minister further added that all government hospitals (GHs) and 2,286 primary and urban primary health centers are being supplied with sufficient quantities of anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) and anti-snakebite venom (ASV). These measures are part of a larger interdepartmental program headed by Chief Minister MK Stalin for improving public health preparedness.
However, even as Tamil Nadu maintains a positive outlook, the recent deaths of two boys in neighboring Kerala due to rabies despite receiving vaccination have triggered caution. In response, the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has issued a strong advisory to healthcare professionals across the state.
The advisory focuses on the utmost necessity for accurate determination of dog bite categories and prompt treatment with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in the form of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) and ARV. Director of Public Health Dr. TS Selvavinayagam reaffirmed that rabies is a viral disease that will be fatal if it affects the brain and nervous system, and after developing the symptoms, survival is unlikely. “Rabies PEP is life-saving only if administered correctly and promptly,” he stated.
The two rabies-related deaths in Kerala have raised concerns about delays in treatment, failure to administer RIG for Category III exposures, improper wound cleaning, and potential issues with vaccine storage or administration. In order to prevent such an outcome in Tamil Nadu, the directorate has requested all health workers to strictly follow the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended guidelines.
The guidelines categorize dog bite exposures as below:
• Category I: Touching/feeding animals or licks on unbroken skin—no PEP needed.
• Category II: Scars or abrasions without bleeding; ARV needed.
• Category III: Bites or scratches with bleeding, or licks on broken skin—both RIG and ARV are needed.
The advisory notes that the single most crucial first step in avoiding rabies is the instant and proper washing of wounds with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Particular care must be taken for children, who tend to underreport bites and have compromised immune systems, and for lacerations above sensitive face or head areas, where delays in treatment can be particularly risky.
Although Tamil Nadu does not have any rabies crisis at present, the state government’s preemptive action, constant surveillance, and strict enforcement of medical protocols must enable it to remain on top.
