One Health
Fourth Meeting: South Asia Rabies Laboratory Network (SA-RABNET)
October 29, 2025
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Rabies is endemic in most countries in South Asia accounting for about 45% of the global burden of human rabies. WOAH initiated and has been managing capacity building measures such as regional and country-level rabies diagnosis training in the sub-region for many years.
The South Asia Rabies Laboratory Network (SA-RABNET) was launched in April 2023, following calls for a platform to connect veterinary laboratories working on rabies diagnosis in the sub-region.
The network’s purpose is to strengthen the rabies diagnostic and surveillance capabilities of the RLDLs in South Asia. Network members agreed to meet virtually once every six months to discuss key progress and challenges in pursuit of rabies elimination from South Asia. The Members agreed to meet virtually once every six months to discuss key progress and challenges in pursuit of rabies elimination from South Asia. The 5th SA-RABNET meeting was held on 13 May 2026.
As planned, the WOAH Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific (RRAP) in collaboration with Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), India, organised the Fifth Meeting of the South Asia Rabies Laboratory Network (SA-RABNET) on 13 May 2026. A total of 31 attendees, including 12 Network Members from seven South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Members (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) attended the meeting.
The meeting focused on:
Key discussions highlighted:
The meeting agreed on continued collaboration, strengthening data sharing, and exploring regional mechanisms such as vaccine banks and coordinated laboratory support.
Dr Barun Sharma from Nepal as the incumbent Chair, chaired the 5th Network meeting of SA-RABNET.
Date: 13 May 2026
Venue: Virtual
Participation: By invitation
Agenda: PDF
Presentations:
Meeting Report: PDF
