Life-Saving Rabies Response in World’s Largest Refugee Camp

Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: With fears rising over the spread of rabies in the world’s largest refugee settlement, we jumped into action to deliver an emergency response vaccination drive. Over 1,700 dogs were vaccinated against the deadly disease in just four days – a life-saving intervention in one of the most densely populated and underserved humanitarian settings on earth.

The campaign was launched in response to a 128% increase in reported dog bite cases between 2021 and 2023, as recorded by the WHO (World Health Organization) Cox’s Bazar Health Sector Bulletins. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, yet entirely preventable through timely canine vaccination – the single most effective way to stop transmission.

With over one million Rohingya refugees living in the 13km² Kutupalong camp, the public health stakes couldn’t be higher. In May 2025, we deployed a high-impact, community-based campaign, achieving over 70% vaccine coverage – the critical threshold needed to stop the disease in dogs and prevent human deaths.

“This is what we’re about – anyone can do easy. This campaign proves that even in the toughest conditions, we can get in, pull together, and save lives. We can’t change the hardship families here face every day – but we can make sure rabies is one less thing they have to fear.” - Dr Luke Gamble, WVS/Mission Rabies Founder and CEO.

The campaign, delivered in just three weeks from planning to completion, was a multi-agency operation involving:

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Bangladesh

• Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)

• Department of Livestock Services (DLS)

• Obhoyaronno – Bangladesh Animal Welfare Foundation

• Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU)

• Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC)

• WHO Bangladesh, CDC, UNICEF, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) for coordination and field support

Over 87 Bangladeshi veterinary students were trained and deployed, alongside over 150 campaign personnel, creating local capacity to carry forward zoonotic disease control. Teams used our Data Collection App to track real-time data, log vaccinations, and map campaign coverage across 26 zones.

Community outreach ran in tandem with the vaccinations, reaching over 12,000 residents and school children with life-saving rabies education in Rohingya language. Wristbands, posters, loudspeakers, and classroom sessions helped demystify the disease and promote safe behaviours, especially for children who are most at risk.

“This wasn’t just a vaccination drive – it was about education, trust, and protection,” said Dr Karlette Fernandes, one of the key Project Managers for the campaign. “Communities were informed, engaged, and incredibly supportive. It shows how much can be done when we act with urgency and compassion.”

The operation also included:

• Establishing surveillance mechanisms to report and track suspected rabies cases

• Structured SOPs, safety protocols, and on-site medical support for vaccination teams

• Secure vaccine cold-chain logistics across all camps

The campaign aligns with the WHO’s “Zero by 30” global strategy to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030, and with the CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recent classification of Cox’s Bazar as a rabies transmission zone requiring urgent intervention.

How you can help fight the world’s deadliest disease

Our supporters are vital in our mission to end rabies.

Volunteer with us and help deliver life-saving vaccinations at our global projects. See our latest volunteer projects here and apply online.

Make a donation to ensure we can vaccinate more dogs to protect communities, and educate more children to keep them safe.

Subscribe to our newsletter to hear more updates on our work, see how your support is making a difference, and find out how you can get involved.