Rabies Vaccine Gaps Exposed: Hundreds of Vaccinated Dogs Die in Kerala Capital
Official data from Thiruvananthapuram has revealed a disturbing trend: hundreds of dogs classified as vaccinated against rabies died in the state capital during the 2024–25 period. This alarming statistic raises serious concerns about gaps in coverage, delayed intervention, and inadequate follow-up in anti-rabies vaccination drives across the region.
Staggering Death Toll Despite Vaccination Efforts
According to the official records, a total of 582 confirmed canine rabies deaths were recorded during this period. Of these, 145 deaths occurred before vaccination, while a staggering 437 were reported in the "after vaccination" category. Veterinary experts have clarified that deaths reported after vaccination do not necessarily indicate vaccine failure. Instead, they could be attributed to factors such as incomplete dosage, delayed administration after exposure, or animals already incubating the virus at the time of vaccination.
During the same timeframe, extensive immunisation efforts were undertaken, with 3.26 lakh dogs receiving prophylactic anti-rabies vaccines and 37,289 dogs vaccinated after suspected exposure. Despite this scale of effort, officials acknowledge that ensuring vaccination of the entire stray dog population remains a significant challenge, particularly in urban areas characterised by high animal density and frequent movement.
Similar Pattern Observed Among Cats
The concerning pattern was not limited to dogs alone. The district reported 96 rabies deaths in cats, including 24 before vaccination and 72 after vaccination. Data shows that 8,007 cats received preventive vaccination, while 2,490 were administered post-exposure shots. This parallel trend underscores the broader systemic issues affecting rabies control measures across animal populations.
Expert Analysis Points to Critical Gaps
A former joint director of the animal husbandry department emphasised that improving booster compliance, cold-chain monitoring, and systematic tracking of vaccinated animals is critical to reducing rabies mortality. "Vaccination is usually given during the animal birth control procedure. But protective antibody levels decline over time, making booster doses essential," he explained. "Deaths reported after vaccination often point to late intervention, absence of boosters, or poor tracking of revaccination schedules."
Dr V Ramkumar, a veteran veterinarian and former national secretary of the Indian Veterinary Association, highlighted a crucial public health aspect. "Most importantly, we need to understand that in rabies deaths, around 60% of bites are from domestic dogs. People often ignore the risk assuming it is a domestic dog. The government must take this into account before framing policy," he stated.
Infrastructure Alone Insufficient Without Coordination
The district boasts 140 veterinary sub-centres, 72 dispensaries, and 23 hospitals. However, experts argue that infrastructure alone is insufficient to curb transmission without coordinated monitoring, sustained stray dog management, and periodic booster coverage. Senior veterinary officials have acknowledged operational gaps, noting that several government veterinary hospitals lack reliable backup power, which affects refrigeration during outages—a critical issue for vaccine storage.
A veterinary surgeon elaborated on the biological challenges: "Animals vaccinated after exposure require adequate time to develop protective antibody levels. If a dog is already incubating the virus or exposed shortly before vaccination, protective titres—generally considered above 0.5 IU/ml—may not develop in time."
This comprehensive data from Thiruvananthapuram serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in rabies eradication. It calls for a multi-faceted approach that addresses not just vaccination numbers but also timing, follow-up, infrastructure reliability, and public awareness to effectively combat this deadly disease.
