Introduction Viral encephalitis transmitted from animal to animal and from animal to man through saliva. Rabies a disease of neglected populations (rural & poor communities) due to lack of awareness about proper post-exposure immunization More than 3 billion people in developing countries in Asia potentially exposed to dog rabies.

Human rabies continues to be endemic in India except for the islands of Andaman, Nicobar, and Lakshadweep. Dogs continue to be the principal reservoir Both sylvatic and urban rabies have been present in India since ancient times The annual incidence of animal bite was 1.7%; it was more in children (2.5%) and 68% of them were males. (WHO Sponsored National Multicentric Rabies Survey, 2003)

Annual incidence of human rabies deaths 17,137 (14109 to with 95% confidence). An additional of 20% is to be included for paralytic/atypical form of rabies. This provides an estimation of human rabies deaths from India. 20,566 Source : WHO Sponsored National Multicentric Rabies Survey Report : APCRI (March – May 2003)

India contributes highest number of human deaths due to rabies in the world : Nearly 50% of total human deaths due to rabies in the world is contributed by India