Chile has become the first country in South America to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies in humans, a milestone announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday. The agency confirmed that the last reported case of dog-to-human rabies in Chile occurred in 1972, marking more than five decades without transmission from dogs to people.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Chile’s achievement as a result of long-term commitment to public health, highlighting the sustained investment in prevention and surveillance measures that protected communities from the disease. He noted that Chile’s experience offers important lessons for other countries aiming to eradicate rabies, a fatal disease if untreated.

Rabies is primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically via bites, but can also spread if contaminated saliva enters the eyes, nose, or mouth. The disease is almost universally fatal once symptoms appear, but it can be effectively prevented through vaccination and timely post-exposure treatment.

Chile’s approach to controlling rabies has involved comprehensive public health policies focused on prevention and monitoring. These measures include extensive vaccination campaigns targeting dogs, as well as vaccination for individuals likely to have been exposed to the virus. The efforts were supported by door-to-door vaccination drives, dog population management, and community education initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the disease.

Chilean Health Minister May Chomali credited a collaborative effort between local communities, municipal authorities, and national public health services for the successful outcome. She emphasized the importance of grassroots involvement in delivering education, vaccinations, and pet control measures directly within neighborhoods.

Regional health bodies also recognized Chile’s achievement, with the Pan American Health Organization commending the country for demonstrating what can be accomplished through consistent vaccination, surveillance, and accessibility to care. Human cases of dog-transmitted rabies have decreased by more than 98% throughout the Americas since 1983, resulting in only sporadic cases annually.

Despite this regional progress, rabies remains a significant global health issue, causing nearly 60,000 deaths each year, predominantly due to dog bites. Chile’s declaration of elimination is a noteworthy step forward in the fight against this preventable but deadly disease.