Stronger together: Sri Lanka advances towards zero human rabies deaths

As the world marks World Rabies Day 2026 under the theme “Stronger Together,” Sri Lanka is building on decades of progress and intensifying action to achieve zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. With strong public health services, life-saving post-exposure treatment and sustained dog vaccination, the country has established a firm foundation for elimination. The final stages, however, will require even closer coordination across human health, animal health, local government and communities.

Rabies remains one of the world’s most fatal zoonotic diseases, yet it is entirely preventable. Prompt access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), effective surveillance and widespread dog vaccination remain the cornerstones of rabies prevention and control. Globally, dogs are responsible for the overwhelming majority of human rabies infections, making dog vaccination a critical intervention for eliminating the disease.

Through decades of sustained investment, strong government leadership and coordinated action across the human health, animal health and local government sectors, Sri Lanka has reduced human rabies deaths to historically low levels and is moving towards its goal of achieving zero human rabies deaths by 2030.

This year’s theme reflects a fundamental principle of rabies elimination: success depends on communities, health professionals, veterinarians, policymakers and development partners working together towards a common goal.

Decades of progress in rabies control

Sri Lanka has a long history of investment in rabies prevention and control. The country established a dedicated Veterinary Public Health Unit within the Ministry of Health in 1953 and launched a comprehensive rabies control programme with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1975.

Dog vaccinators administer rabies vaccine to a dog during a field clinic conducted as part of Sri Lanka’s national rabies control programme in Galle, Sri Lanka.

Over the years, investments across human and animal health systems have strengthened access to life-saving treatment, expanded laboratory diagnostic capacity, improved surveillance and increased dog vaccination coverage. These efforts have contributed to a substantial decline in human rabies deaths and strengthened the country’s capacity to achieve elimination.

Today, the national programme is led by the Public Health Veterinary Services (PHVS) of the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Epidemiology Unit, Medical Research Institute (MRI), animal health services, local authorities, academic institutions, civil society organizations and development partners. Together, they contribute to a One Health approach that recognizes the close links between human, animal and environmental health and the need for coordinated action to prevent and control rabies.

Sustaining progress while addressing remaining challenges

According to the Public Health Veterinary Services, Sri Lanka recorded 14 laboratory-confirmed human rabies deaths in 2025. During the same year, nearly 168,000 people received post-exposure prophylaxis following potential exposure to rabies, while more than 1.6 million dogs were vaccinated, achieving an estimated national vaccination coverage exceeding 60%.

A trained vaccinator prepares rabies vaccine during a dog vaccination campaign in Galle, Sri Lanka.

These achievements reflect the commitment of frontline health workers, public health inspectors, veterinarians, laboratory personnel and community volunteers across the country. However, rabies transmission persists in animal populations. In 2025, 346 animal rabies cases were reported, underscoring the need to sustain and strengthen prevention efforts to interrupt transmission.

Strengthening the final push towards elimination

To accelerate progress, the Ministry of Health, with technical support from WHO and partners, commissioned an independent external review of Sri Lanka’s rabies programme in September 2025. The review brought together national and international experts from WHO, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), academia, civil society and government institutions to assess achievements, identify gaps and recommend actions to support elimination.

National and international experts participate in the external review of Sri Lanka’s rabies programme in September 2025.

The review found that Sri Lanka has built a strong foundation for rabies elimination through sustained programme implementation, access to treatment and vaccination services, and robust public health leadership. It also identified opportunities to further strengthen animal rabies surveillance, increase dog vaccination coverage, improve data integration across sectors and enhance coordination among stakeholders.

Experts emphasized the importance of expanding vaccination among both owned and free-roaming dogs, promoting responsible dog ownership, strengthening bite prevention efforts and empowering communities to actively participate in rabies prevention and control.

The review also underscored the value of aligning rabies control efforts with broader national initiatives, including the Clean Sri Lanka programme, by supporting environmental cleanliness, sustainable dog population management and safer communities.

A field team conducts community awareness activities and vaccination on rabies prevention in Galle, Sri Lanka.

Together, these recommendations provide a practical pathway for addressing remaining gaps and accelerating Sri Lanka’s progress towards elimination.

WHO support for rabies elimination

WHO has been a longstanding partner in Sri Lanka’s rabies control efforts for more than five decades, having supported the development of national strategies and guidelines, strengthened surveillance and laboratory capacity, facilitated technical reviews, promoted a One Health approach and provided technical expertise to support evidence-based decision-making.

Most recently, WHO supported the independent external rabies review, helping bring together national and international expertise to assess progress and identify priority actions needed to achieve and sustain zero human rabies deaths.

WHO continues to work closely with the Ministry of Health and partners to support implementation of the review recommendations, strengthen surveillance systems, enhance programme monitoring and accelerate progress towards national elimination targets.

Towards zero human deaths from rabies

The vision of a rabies-free Sri Lanka is increasingly within reach. Achieving and sustaining elimination will require continued political commitment, adequate investment, strong multisectoral collaboration and active participation from communities across the country.

Eliminating rabies is more than a public health achievement. It demonstrates how coordinated action across sectors can protect lives, strengthen health systems and improve community well-being. Every vaccinated dog, every appropriately managed animal bite and every informed community brings Sri Lanka one step closer to a future where no one dies from rabies.

WHO Representative to Sri Lanka Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav said:

“The theme of this year’s World Rabies Day, ‘Stronger Together,’ reflects Sri Lanka’s experience in advancing rabies prevention and control. The remarkable progress achieved over recent decades has been possible because health professionals, veterinarians, local authorities, policymakers, development partners and communities have worked together towards a shared goal. Sustaining these partnerships will be essential to achieving zero human rabies deaths and creating a rabies-free future for all.”

Communities also have a critical role. Vaccinating dogs, supervising owned animals, avoiding unsafe contact with unfamiliar animals, washing bite or scratch wounds immediately with soap and running water, and promptly seeking medical care can prevent rabies deaths.

A shared commitment for the future

On World Rabies Day, WHO joins the Government of Sri Lanka and partners across the country in reaffirming a shared commitment to ending dog-mediated human rabies.

By building on decades of progress and implementing the recommendations of the recent programme review, Sri Lanka can accelerate the final push towards zero human rabies deaths by 2030, protecting future generations from a preventable disease while advancing the shared goal of rabies elimination across the South-East Asia Region.