The government of Jammu and Kashmir has taken a significant step by declaring human rabies as a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897.
Reporting Mandate
- The Health and Medical Education Department has issued a notification mandating all government and private health facilities, including medical colleges, to report suspected, probable, and confirmed cases of human rabies.
- Reports should be made to the respective Chief Medical Officer and the State Nodal Officer of the National Rabies Control Program.
Rationale
- Rabies is an acute viral disease that affects warm-blooded animals, including humans, with a high fatality rate.
- India accounts for a significant portion of rabies deaths globally.
- Rabies is preventable through timely and appropriate Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
- Establishing a robust surveillance and reporting system is crucial to achieving the WHO goal of zero deaths due to human rabies by 2023.
- This will aid in developing region-specific strategies for prevention, control, and elimination of rabies.
National Directive
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, urged all States/UTs to declare human rabies a notifiable disease through a directive dated 20 September 2021.
- This directive mandates reporting of all suspected, probable, and confirmed human rabies cases by government and private health facilities.
Legal Declaration
- The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir exercises powers conferred by the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, to declare human rabies as a notifiable disease in the Union Territory.
- This declaration ensures prompt reporting and implementation of prophylactic measures to prevent further infections.
Implementation
- All government and private health facilities, including medical colleges, are required to immediately report suspected, probable, and confirmed cases of human rabies to the Chief Medical Officer of the concerned district and the State Nodal Officer of the National Rabies Control Program.
- The notification is effective immediately and remains valid until further notice.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What significant step has the government of Jammu and Kashmir taken regarding human rabies?
- a) Declaring it as an endemic disease
- b) Recognizing it as a global health priority
- c) Declaring it as a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897
- d) Implementing mandatory vaccination programs
- Which department issued the notification mandating reporting of human rabies cases?
- a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- b) Department of Animal Husbandry
- c) Health and Medical Education Department
- d) Department of Epidemiology
- What is the primary rationale behind establishing a robust surveillance and reporting system for rabies?
- a) To achieve zero deaths due to human rabies by 2023
- b) To increase government funding for medical research
- c) To implement strict quarantine measures for affected individuals
- d) To enforce mandatory pet vaccinations
- Who urged all States/UTs to declare human rabies as a notifiable disease?
- a) World Health Organization (WHO)
- b) National Institute of Virology (NIV)
- c) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
- d) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)