Dr. Amy Isaac Joins Global Effort to Fight Rabies in India
Rabies remains one of the deadliest yet most preventable diseases in the world. Each year, thousands of people—many of them children—die from rabies infections, most commonly transmitted through dog bites. Recently, our very own Dr. Amy Isaac traveled to India to help change that reality as part of an international volunteer effort with Mission Rabies.
A Global Collaboration
Dr. Isaac joined a team of 11 international volunteers from the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand. Together, they worked alongside veterinary students and student workers from India, as well as international staff from World Veterinary Service (WVS), the organization that oversees and founded the Mission Rabies projects.
This collaboration brought together professionals and students from around the world with one shared mission: eliminating rabies worldwide through mass dog vaccination and community education.
A Long-Running Project in Goa
The team worked in Goa, India, where Mission Rabies has been conducting annual vaccination campaigns for 13 years. When the program first began, the region had significant rabies cases and human deaths related to dog bites.
Through consistent vaccination campaigns and education efforts, the region has made remarkable progress and is now considered rabies controlled.
To officially achieve rabies-free status, a region must go two full years without any confirmed rabies cases. While Goa had been approaching that goal, a rabid dog case occurred last year, meaning the work continues as teams push toward full elimination.
Unique Cultural Environment
One unique aspect of working in India is the strong cultural respect for animals. Cows are considered sacred in many parts of India, and it is common to see them freely roaming through towns and streets. This cultural context creates a very different environment for veterinary work and animal management compared to many Western countries.
During this year’s campaign, the team set an ambitious target: 10,000 dog vaccinations.
Thanks to the dedication and teamwork of everyone involved, they surpassed that goal, vaccinating 10,016 dogs during the project.
Each vaccination is a critical step in protecting both animals and people. Mass dog vaccination is widely recognized as the most effective way to prevent rabies transmission to humans.
A Global Mission
Mission Rabies operates projects in several regions around the world, including:
- Malawi and Tanzania in Africa
- Cambodia
- Multiple locations throughout India
- Peru
These programs focus on vaccination, surveillance, and education to reduce rabies cases and ultimately eliminate the disease worldwide.
Making a Difference
Dr. Isaac’s participation reflects the powerful impact veterinary professionals can have on both animal welfare and human health. By working alongside international colleagues and local veterinary students, she helped contribute to a program that is saving lives and moving communities closer to a rabies-free future.
We are incredibly proud of Dr. Isaac for representing our clinic and for dedicating her skills to such an important global cause.
If you’d like to learn more about the organization and their work around the world, visit:
https://www.missionrabies.com/en