By Joyce Ekeh
Bhutan has become the first country in the World Health Organisation, WHO, South-East Asia Region to eliminate dog-transmitted human rabies as a public health problem, marking a major breakthrough in the global campaign to end human deaths from the deadly but preventable disease by 2030.
The WHO validation, announced yesterday, followed more than a decade of sustained investment in mass dog vaccination, dog population management, surveillance, community engagement and free access to post-exposure prophylaxis, PEP.
Bhutan has recorded zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies since June 2023.
Congratulating the country, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the achievement demonstrated the power of bringing human, animal and environmental health systems together.
“I congratulate Bhutan on this historic achievement, which is another step towards our goal to end human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030,” Tedros said.
“Bhutan’s success shows that the health of humans, animals and the environment we share is inextricably linked. By uniting health workers, veterinarians, and communities, Bhutan has shown that the fight against rabies is won not in silos, but through solidarity across all sectors.”
Rabies remains one of the world’s most deadly infectious diseases, with clinical disease almost invariably fatal. Yet deaths are preventable through vaccination of dogs, prompt wound washing and timely PEP following exposure.
PEP combines thorough wound washing with a course of human rabies vaccine and, where indicated, rabies immunoglobulin.
WHO said Bhutan’s success was built around a One Health strategy, recognising that human health cannot be separated from the health of animals and the environment.
Under the programme, human and animal health authorities work jointly when suspected rabies cases are reported, including identifying exposed persons and conducting field investigations.
The country also deployed its De-suung national volunteer service, known as the “Guardians of Peace”, to support dog vaccination, population management and community awareness campaigns.
WHO Officer-in-Charge for the South-East Asia Region, Dr Nilesh Buddha, said Bhutan’s experience offered a model for countries still battling dog-mediated rabies.
“Bhutan has shown that eliminating dog-mediated human rabies is possible when strong national leadership, a mature One Health approach and communities come together around a shared goal,” Buddha said.
“The dedication of health workers, veterinary professionals and De-suung volunteers helped take dog vaccination, population management and community awareness to every part of the country. Bhutan’s achievement offers an important example for other countries in the Region.”
The WHO validation followed a rigorous independent assessment of Bhutan’s evidence.
A regional Dossier Review Group, convened by WHO with support from the World Organisation for Animal Health, WOAH, reviewed the country’s submission in two phases — a desk review and a field mission conducted from August 17 to 22, 2026.
During the field mission, experts visited health facilities, laboratories and programme sites, reviewed records and information systems, inspected the Bhutan-India border area and consulted health workers, veterinary officials and other stakeholders.
Under WHO criteria established following its 2018 Expert Consultation on Rabies, countries seeking validation must demonstrate at least two years without human deaths from dog-mediated rabies, alongside the capacity to prevent the disease from re-emerging.
They must also provide evidence of strong surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, sustained dog vaccination, timely access to PEP and preparedness to respond to possible reintroduction.
Bhutan’s Minister of Health said the milestone was the result of political commitment and collaboration across government, communities and development partners.
“This validation is a proud and historic moment for Bhutan made possible through the visionary leadership of His Majesty The King,” the minister said.
The minister added that the achievement was “a testament to the strong collaboration” between the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, local governments, partners and communities.
Despite the milestone, Bhutan is not lowering its guard.
The country plans to maintain free, universal access to PEP across all 20 districts, while continuing mass dog vaccination, dog population management and integrated human-animal surveillance.
Authorities also plan to strengthen cross-border collaboration with neighbouring Indian states to prevent the reintroduction of rabies.
WHO Representative to Bhutan, Dr Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh, said the achievement was the product of sustained investment in both One Health and universal health coverage.
“Bhutan’s validation is built on years of investment in a One Health approach and in universal health coverage,” Aulakh said.
“WHO has been privileged to walk alongside the Ministry of Health and the people of Bhutan on this journey, and remains committed to supporting the country in sustaining and strengthening the systems that have delivered this achievement.”
The Bhutanese programme was led by the Ministries of Health and Agriculture and Livestock, with support from the De-suung national volunteer service and communities.
WHO and WOAH provided technical assistance, while financing came through the Bhutan Health Trust Fund and partners, including the Pandemic Fund.
The achievement adds momentum to the global “Zero by 30” campaign — a joint WHO, WOAH and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations initiative, in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Rabies Control, aimed at ending human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
For countries still struggling with rabies, the Bhutan experience remains important in eliminating the disease requires more than treating people after dog bites. It demands sustained vaccination of dogs, accessible PEP, effective surveillance and communities working alongside human and animal health authorities.
