Chile becomes first South American country validated for eliminating dog-transmitted rabies

WHO said Chile passed an independent international review by demonstrating both more than five decades without a dog-transmitted human case and continuing capacity to prevent re-emergence through surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, vaccination and response systems.

Chile's programme includes free mass vaccination for dogs and cats, door-to-door dog vaccination, targeted dog-population management, community education and timely post-exposure prophylaxis for people who may have encountered the virus.

Human cases of dog-mediated rabies in the Americas have fallen by more than 98% since 1983, according to WHO. Chile's validation supports the regional goal of eliminating dog-transmitted human rabies by 2030.

Eliminating dog-transmitted human rabies as a public-health problem is not the same as eradicating the virus. Wildlife can still carry rabies and reintroduction remains possible, so vaccination, surveillance and prompt care after an exposure must continue.