National Rabies Control Programme(NRCP)

Rabies is responsible for extensive morbidity and mortality in India. The disease is endemic throughout the country. The cases occur throughout the year. About 96% of the mortality and morbidity are associated with dog bites. Cats, wolves, jackals, mongooses, and monkeys are other important reservoirs of rabies in India. Bat rabies has not been conclusively reported in the country.

To address the issue of rabies in the country, National Rabies Control Programme was approved during the 12th FYP by the Standing Finance Committee meeting held on 03.10.2013 as a Central Sector Scheme to be implemented under the Umbrella of NHM.

Objectives Of the Programme:

  1. Training of Health Care professionals on appropriate Animal bite management and Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis.

  2. Advocacy for states to adopt and implement the Interdermal route of Post-exposure prophylaxis for Animal bite Victims and Pre-exposure prophylaxis for high-risk categories.

  3. Strengthen Human Rabies Surveillance System.

  4. Strengthening of Regional Laboratories under NRCP for Rabies Diagnosis.

  5. Creating awareness in the community through Advocacy & Communication and Social Mobilization.

Components ( State & District Level Activities)

  1. Provision of ARV and ARS - to all animal bite victims up to PHC level through National Free Drug Initiative

  2. Capacity building-CB of health professionals regarding Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis

  3. IEC-Increasing awareness about post-exposure prophylaxis among the general community.

  4. Surveillance & Monitoring-Strengthening surveillance and monitoring of human rabies and animal bite cases by review meetings, supervisory visits

  5. Anti Rabies Clinic-District-level health facilities strengthened to provide the services, strengthening surveillance, counseling & referral.


In the state of Himachal Pradesh Model, Anti rabies clinic under NRCP is DDU- ZH Shimla