1. Veterinarian’s role
in rabies control
Ilona Otter, DVM MSc
Clinical Director
WVS ITC

2. Eradication of rabies – the stages
Eradication of any infectious disease
requires the elimination of the
infectious agent from the main host
population
Rabies eradication is only possible by
continuous and systematic
involvement of the veterinary sector
to vaccinate domestic dogs – the
main host species of rabies virus
Veterinarians in all employment
sectors need to be made more
involved in rabies control in India
Role of wildlife and the need to
combine oral rabies vaccine to the
strategy? Situation in India

3. Veterinarians role:
EDUCATION
• Responsible dog ownership
• Registrations
• Public / media awareness
• Symptoms of rabies
• What to do when bitten

4. Veterinarian’s role:
ACTION = Vaccinations
• Central point
• House-to-house
• All-year-round
• Intensive
campaigns

5. Veterinarian’s role
ACTION = population control
• To maintain
vaccination coverage,
herd immunity
• To reduce roaming
• Improve welfare

6. Veterinarian’s role:
MONITORING &
SURVEILLANCE
• Records
• Suspected rabies cases 
for diagnosis!
• Serum titres of selected
samples

7. Veterinarian’s role:
COMMUNICATION &
INSPIRATION
– Up-to-date knowledge of rabies
situation in the area
– Factual information to different
target groups
– Scientific publications, press
releases, posters, radio programs

8. There is something for
everyone...
• Regardless of your
employment sector as a
veterinarian in India
(rabies endemic country),
there is something for you
to DO!