WHO validates Chile as first South American country to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies

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.