Mexico Launches Pilot Rabies Vaccination Program in Five States

SSA has launched a pilot program to administer intradermal rabies vaccinations in five states as part of efforts to address ongoing zoonotic disease risks. The initiative, rolled out in Michoacan, Oaxaca, Nayarit, Durango, and Jalisco, aims to protect populations with frequent exposure to wild animals that may carry rabies.

The announcement coincided with World Zoonoses Day, observed annually on July 6, and highlights renewed attention to animal-origin diseases. “These diseases affect people’s health, but they also have a strong social, economic, and environmental impact,” said Verónica Gutiérrez, Deputy Director of the Rabies and Other Zoonoses Program, National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CENAPRECE).

Although Mexico was recognized by the World Health Organization in 2019 for eliminating dog-transmitted human rabies, transmission from wild animals remains a concern, especially in rural or hard-to-reach communities. The pilot program will use a new method involving two intradermal doses instead of the conventional intramuscular injection. The vaccinations will be carried out in July and August 2025 with technical support from PAHO. Results of the pilot will be evaluated at the end of the year to determine potential expansion.

Zoonotic diseases, those transmitted from animals to humans, represent a growing public health challenge. According to WHO, between 60% and 75% of emerging infectious diseases originate from animals. Globally, more than 200 zoonotic diseases have been identified, underscoring the importance of active surveillance and coordinated response efforts across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.

Another priority for the ministry is rickettsiosis, a bacterial infection spread by tick bites. The disease, prevalent mainly in northern Mexican states, can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly. To address this, Mexico is working with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to strengthen its response. Joint actions include medical training for early detection, public awareness campaigns, and tick monitoring to identify pathogens.

Mexico’s Ministry of Health continues to advocate for a “One Health” approach, integrating medical, veterinary, environmental, and academic sectors to prevent and respond to zoonotic threats. As part of this strategy, authorities stress early intervention and community education as key components for minimizing risks and improving outcomes.

World Zoonoses Day commemorates the first successful rabies vaccination by Louis Pasteur in 1885. The milestone, which protected a child bitten by a rabid dog, marked the beginning of modern vaccine-based disease prevention. Today, Mexico's efforts aim to continue that legacy through updated methods and collaborative public health frameworks.