WHO validates Chile as first South American country to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies - abcnews.com

The World Health Organization validated Chile on Monday as the first South American country to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies to humans, following more than five decades of prevention and surveillance efforts.
Chile's last reported case of dog-to-human rabies occurred in 1972, according to the WHO.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the achievement reflects decades of commitment and sustained investment in public health, and offers valuable lessons for other countries seeking to end human deaths from the preventable disease.
The country's strategy included widespread pet vaccination campaigns, door-to-door dog vaccination, dog population management, vaccines for exposed individuals, and community education and awareness initiatives.
Chilean Health Minister May Chomali credited "joint efforts" across communities and municipalities, where education, vaccination, and pet control take place, for delivering the desired results.
Pan American Health Organization Director Jarbas Barbosa praised Chile for demonstrating what can be achieved when countries invest in vaccination, surveillance, and access to care; rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear but is preventable through vaccination and prompt post-exposure treatment.