Divided by borders, united by rabies: A call for integrated rabies control in India and Pakistan

Harendra Kumar; Vagisha Sharma; Bharat Kumar

doi:10.1016/j.nmni.2023.101191

Divided by borders, united by rabies: A call for integrated rabies control in India and Pakistan

New Microbes New Infect. 2023 Nov 4:55:101191. doi: 10.1016/j.nmni.2023.101191. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Authors

Harendra Kumar¹, Vagisha Sharma², Bharat Kumar³

Affiliations

¹ Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
² Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
³ Nepal Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Abstract

•India and Pakistan share a common public health concern: rabies, which affects both humans and animals.•Both countries have established national rabies control initiatives, but these programs face challenges such as inadequate funding and limited access to healthcare in rural areas.•Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are also working to control rabies in both India and Pakistan.•Cross-Border Cooperation Crucial in Rabies Fight: SAARC Initiatives Promoting Regional Prevention.•Crucial Steps: Raising Rabies Awareness and Accessible PEP in Both Countries.

Keywords: Bats; Borders; Cats; Dogs; Endemic; Fatal; Healthcare; India; Infected animals; Neighboring countries; Pakistan; Public health concern; Rabies; Rural areas; Saliva; Vaccines; Virus.