Human Rabies Outbreak in Jaffna District: Is it due to the impact of COVID-19 on rabies control activities?
By: S. Sivaganesh and S. Suganja
Abstract
Though the number of rabies deaths in Sri Lanka has not changed significantly during/post COVID 19 period, cases in Jaffna has shown a significant increase during this period. This study aimed to determine the possible factors for the increased rabies deaths in the Jaffna District, Sri Lanka.
A Desk review was conducted by collecting data of years 2019-2022 from the registers/records maintained in Regional Directorate of Health Services, Jaffna and Medical Officer of Health offices in the Jaffna District. Data was collected using data extraction sheets prepared in Microsoft excel from notification registers, e-mail notifications, special surveillance forms, dog immunization registers/records, dog sterilization registers/records and monthly returns from the hospitals. Triangulation of data was done to ensure data quality. Collected data was analyzed using Microsoft excel functions. Simple descriptive statistics was used to describe the distribution and comparison.
Out of 14 rabies death, most of the cases (93%) have occurred among economically active adults and (64%) among males. Distribution of cases was mainly in two land masses, namely Valikamam and Vadamaradchi. MOH Sandilipay had the highest incidence (36%). Proportion of animal bites among OPD attendants varied from 6.9% in 2019 to 11.1% in 2020 and 17.6% in 2021.A reduction was observed in 2022 compared to 2021. Number of dog sterilizations has been fluctuating over the years. Annual dog vaccination coverage in the district varied from 29.3% in 2019 to 86.2% in 2022. In 2019, it varied from 0% in MOH Chankanai, MOH Karainagar, MOH Kayts and MOH Kopay to 105.5% in MOH Chavakacheri. Similarly, in 2022, it varied from 46.3% in MOH Jaffna to 106.6% in MOH Thellipalai. It has observed reduction in human rabies death following increased dog vaccination coverage over the years. There is enough evidence that rabies control activities had been reduced during COVID-19 period and resulted high incidence of animal bites and rabies cases in Jaffna District.
A Desk review was conducted by collecting data of years 2019-2022 from the registers/records maintained in Regional Directorate of Health Services, Jaffna and Medical Officer of Health offices in the Jaffna District. Data was collected using data extraction sheets prepared in Microsoft excel from notification registers, e-mail notifications, special surveillance forms, dog immunization registers/records, dog sterilization registers/records and monthly returns from the hospitals. Triangulation of data was done to ensure data quality. Collected data was analyzed using Microsoft excel functions. Simple descriptive statistics was used to describe the distribution and comparison.
Out of 14 rabies death, most of the cases (93%) have occurred among economically active adults and (64%) among males. Distribution of cases was mainly in two land masses, namely Valikamam and Vadamaradchi. MOH Sandilipay had the highest incidence (36%). Proportion of animal bites among OPD attendants varied from 6.9% in 2019 to 11.1% in 2020 and 17.6% in 2021.A reduction was observed in 2022 compared to 2021. Number of dog sterilizations has been fluctuating over the years. Annual dog vaccination coverage in the district varied from 29.3% in 2019 to 86.2% in 2022. In 2019, it varied from 0% in MOH Chankanai, MOH Karainagar, MOH Kayts and MOH Kopay to 105.5% in MOH Chavakacheri. Similarly, in 2022, it varied from 46.3% in MOH Jaffna to 106.6% in MOH Thellipalai. It has observed reduction in human rabies death following increased dog vaccination coverage over the years. There is enough evidence that rabies control activities had been reduced during COVID-19 period and resulted high incidence of animal bites and rabies cases in Jaffna District.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/jmj.v38i1.257 | Journal eISSN: 2651-0200
Language: English
Page range: 18 - 25
Published on: Jul 21, 2026
Published by: The Jaffna Medical Association
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Keywords:
© 2026 S. Sivaganesh, S. Suganja, published by The Jaffna Medical Association
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.