Unprecedented rabies outbreak in Nepal’s Far Western Region: A call for urgent action

Abstract

Rabies, a zoonotic disease caused by lyssaviruses, poses a severe and escalating threat in the Far Western Region of Nepal. The recent outbreak of rabies in the Kailali and Kanchanpur districts of Sudurpaschim province has reached unprecedented levels, with a 92.30 % positivity rate in suspected samples. Within a year, there have been 84 confirmed outbreaks, with 32 in Kailali and 50 in Kanchanpur, highlighting the seriousness of the situation in these districts. This outbreak has also affected various animal species, including pigs, marking the first case in Nepal, and also caused the death of a young boy due to rabies. Given the historically low number of rabies cases in the province, the current situation is highly alarming and necessitates immediate government intervention. The challenges faced include the absence of a comprehensive national rabies control policy, limited resources, and inadequate awareness in rural areas. To effectively address this crisis, urgent action is required, which entails a multidisciplinary approach, collaboration between government and non-governmental organizations, prioritization of rural areas, improvement of health infrastructure, and strengthened surveillance.