Bhutan has become the first country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem, in a major milestone in the global fight against a disease that is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms appear.

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally validated Bhutan’s achievement following a rigorous assessment of the country’s rabies-control systems and sustained efforts spanning more than a decade.

 

Bhutan has recorded zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies since June 2023.

 

“I congratulate Bhutan on this historic achievement, which is another step towards our goal to end human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. 

 

"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."

 

Bhutan’s success has been built around a One Health approach, which recognizes the close links between human, animal and ecosystem health.

 

The country has invested heavily in integrated surveillance, coordinated planning and joint action by health and veterinary authorities. When a suspected rabies case is reported, human and animal health teams work together to identify possible exposures and, where required, conduct joint field investigations.

 

The approach has helped Bhutan tackle rabies at both ends of the transmission chain: vaccinating dogs to control the disease at its source and ensuring rapid access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for people exposed to potentially infected animals.

 

PEP can prevent the virus from reaching the central nervous system following a bite and includes thorough wound washing, a course of human rabies vaccine and, when indicated, rabies immunoglobulin (RIG).

 

“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. 

 

"The dedication of health workers, veterinary professionals and De-suung volunteers known as ‘Guardians of Peace’ 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,” said Dr Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Region.

 

WHO’s validation followed an established set of criteria and a two-phase assessment by the regional Dossier Review Group, convened by WHO with support from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

 

The review included a detailed examination of Bhutan’s dossier and a field mission conducted from 17 to 22 August 2026.

 

During the mission, reviewers visited national, regional and sub-district health facilities, laboratories and the Bhutan–India border area. They examined programme records and information systems and consulted health officials, programme staff and other multisectoral stakeholders.

 

The validation comes after years of national efforts to control rabies through dog vaccination, population management, surveillance and public awareness.

 

“This validation is a proud and historic moment for Bhutan made possible through the visionary leadership of His Majesty The King, who graciously initiated the Nationwide Accelerated Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Programme. 

 

"This achievement is also a testament to the strong collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, together with our partners, local governments and communities, united through a One Health approach. Building upon this Royal initiative, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock together with our partners remain committed to sustaining this achievement through continued access to PEP, mass dog vaccination, dog population management, community engagement and strengthened surveillance,” said the Minister of Health, Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan.

 

Bhutan says it will maintain the systems that enabled the achievement rather than treat elimination as an endpoint.

 

Universal, free access to PEP will continue across all 20 Dzongkhags, while mass dog vaccination, dog population management and integrated human-animal surveillance will continue under the next phase of the Nationwide Accelerated Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Programme (NADPM&RCP).

 

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on One Health (IMCOH) will also continue supporting coordinated action, while cross-border cooperation with neighbouring Indian states will be strengthened to protect Bhutan’s progress.

 

“Bhutan’s validation is built on years of investment in a One Health approach and in universal health coverage,” said Dr Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh, WHO Representative to Bhutan. “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.”

 

Bhutan’s campaign was led by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, with support from the De-suung national volunteer service and communities nationwide.

 

WHO and WOAH provided technical support, while financing came through the Bhutan Health Trust Fund (BHTF) and partners, including the Pandemic Fund.

 

Bhutan’s achievement demonstrates that sustained political commitment, coordinated action across sectors and strong community participation can drive dog-mediated rabies towards elimination—bringing the global goal of ending human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030 closer to reality.