ABC News (US)
· collected 2026-09-14 · by NAYARA BATSCHKE Associated Press
Chile has been validated as the first South American country to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies to humans, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This achievement follows over five decades of sustained public health efforts including extensive vaccination campaigns for pets and post-exposure prophylaxis for people. The last reported case in Chile occurred in 1972, with human cases of dog-transmitted rabies across the Americas dropping by more than 98% since 1983.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Chile became the first country in South America to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which validated this achievement on Monday. The last reported case of dog-to-human rabies in Chile occurred in 1972, following more than five decades of dedicated public health efforts focused on prevention and surveillance. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Chile's sustained investment in public health, highlighting the country’s success as a valuable lesson for other nations aiming to end human deaths caused by this preventable disease. Rabies is spread through the saliva of an infected animal and can be fatal if not treated promptly; however, it can be prevented with proper vaccination campaigns and post-exposure prophylaxis. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) also commended Chile for demonstrating what can be achieved when countries invest in vaccination, surveillance, and access to care. Since 1983, human cases of dog-transmitted rabies have dropped by more than 98% across the Americas, with only a few annual reports remaining today.
Written for “Chile Eliminates Dog Rabies” on 2026-09-15,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 9488 · logged 2026-09-14
Chile validated as first South American country to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies
Chile has become the first South American country to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies to humans, according to the World Health Organization
SANTIAGO, Chile --
uncertain
Chile → validate → Organization
Chile has become the first country in South America to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies to humans, following more than five decades of public health “prevention and surveillance," the World Health Organization said Monday.
asserted
Organization → become → prevention
The WHO said the last reported case of dog-to-human rabies occurred in 1972.
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case → say → 1972
“This validation reflects decades of commitment to protecting communities from rabies and demonstrates the impact of sustained investment in public health,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.
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Ghebreyesus → reflect → statement
“Chile’s success offers valuable lessons for countries working to end human deaths caused by this preventable disease.”
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success → offer → disease
Rabies spreads through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite.
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Rabies → spread → bite
However, the virus can also infect someone if saliva enters the eyes, nose or mouth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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saliva → infect → Control
Rabies is almost always fatal once the initial symptoms appear, but it can be prevented through vaccination, effective surveillance and prompt access to post-exposure prophylaxis.
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it → appear → prophylaxis
Chile has long maintained a public health policy focused on prevention and surveillance to combat the disease.
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Chile → maintain → disease
Efforts include extensive vaccination campaigns for pets and vaccines for people who may have been exposed to the virus, WHO said.
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WHO → include → virus
“These actions were complemented by door-to-door dog vaccination campaigns, specific measures for managing the dog population, and community awareness and education initiatives,” it added.
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it → complement → population
Celebrating the milestone in Santiago, Chilean Health Minister May Chomali praised the “ joint efforts ” that led to the achievement.
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that → celebrate → achievement
“The public policy on rabies eradication has yielded the results we desired as a community and as a country,” she said, highlighting the work inside communities and municipalities.
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she → yield → communities
“They are the ones on the ground, where education, vaccination, and pet control take place.”
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education → take → place
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Jarbas Barbosa praised Chile for its role in demonstrating “what can be achieved” when countries invest in “vaccination, surveillance, and access to care.”
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countries → praise → care
Human cases of dog-transmitted rabies in the Americas have dropped by more than 98% since 1983, with only a few cases reported annually nowadays.
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cases → transmit → 1983
That progress contrasts with the nearly 60,000 people killed by the virus every year, most bitten by dogs, according to WHO.
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progress → contrast → WHO
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