The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The nationwide dog sterilization and vaccination program will resume, and so will the cross-border surveillance and free access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after the World Health Organization (WHO) formally validated the country’s elimination of dog-mediated human rabies on 1st September.
Health Secretary Pemba Wangchuk, said Bhutan’s achievement through the nationwide dog sterilization and vaccination program was initiated under His Majesty’s command.
“An important role was played by His Majesty The King, particularly through the sterilisation and vaccination program commanded by His Majesty during and after the pandemic,” he said.
The Secretary said Bhutan has now entered the third phase of its dog population management and rabies control program, which will continue sterilization and vaccination efforts across the country.
He said cross-border cooperation with Assam and West Bengal will also remain important to prevent the reintroduction of rabies.
“There is cooperation with our counterparts in Assam and West Bengal along the border,” the Health Secretary said.
The country will also strengthen frontline monitoring, with animal control and health officials working together to detect and respond to suspected rabies cases.
The Secretary said community participation remains critical, particularly in reporting unusual behaviour in dogs.
In order to prevent repeated sterilization, the previously sterilized dogs that have marked ears will be spared.
Pet dogs will also be microchipped as part of responsible pet ownership and population management.
