Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Animal Husbandry Department, in collaboration with an international organisation, organised a one-day consultation programme on rabies prevention and elimination on the occasion of World Rabies Day 2026.
Additional Chief Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department, Mukesh Kumar Meshram, said human and animal health are closely interconnected and that an integrated strategy, along with extensive public awareness, is essential to eliminate deadly diseases such as rabies.
He said the Animal Husbandry Department is committed to making Uttar Pradesh completely safe and rabies-free.
The state-level consultation discussed effective rabies prevention under the One Health approach, universal anti-rabies vaccination and stronger coordination between human and animal health departments, with the objective of achieving complete rabies elimination by 2030.
Director (Administration and Development) Dr Rajendra Prasad and Director (Disease Control and Farms) Dr Sangeeta Tiwari, along with senior departmental officials, subject experts and representatives of the international organisation, attended the meeting.
As part of the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, the department also organised free anti-rabies vaccination camps across all districts. Veterinary teams vaccinated dogs free of cost and sensitised pet owners and residents about rabies prevention.
Officials said rabies is a serious and fatal viral disease, but timely vaccination, precautions and proper management can significantly reduce the risk. Pet owners were urged to ensure regular, timely anti-rabies vaccination for their dogs and seek immediate medical advice in case of an animal bite.
The department said awareness activities on rabies prevention, animal vaccination and safe interaction with animals would continue across the state.
