Chile ends dog-transmitted rabies as public health threat

Chile became the first South American country to receive validation from the World Health Organization for eliminating dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem.

The WHO recognized Chile’s success after more than 50 years without a human case of rabies. Chile last reported a human case of rabies transmitted by dogs in 1972. The country achieved this milestone by vaccinating people after possible exposure to the virus through bites or contact with infected animals.