Dr. A. K. Gupta

Dr. A. K. Gupta graduated from Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi (1973 Batch). He is currently practicing as a Rabies Consultant at Rana Pratap Bagh, Delhi, since 1980.

He is actively associated with Association for Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI) and Indian Public Health Association (IPHA).

Dr. Gupta has been regularly writing articles on Rabies. He has presented various papers on Rabies at scientific conferences. He is actively engaged in Continued Medical Education programmes on rabies. His articles on Rabies are published in various medical newsletters.

He is author of seven books on Rabies (1) "RABIES - the worst death" (2) FAQs on Rabies (3) Understanding Rabies (4) Play Safe with Animals (5) Animal Exposures-20 Interesting Cases (6) WAR Against Rabies (7) Zoonotic Diseases - Rare but There

These books are available in Delhi Public Library also.

He is currently working on several projects with help from Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and Association for Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI).

The following are a few of many:

• 1. Rabies Education Intervention for Public School Children.
• 2. Surveillance and Notifiability Campaign.

He started "RABIES ON- LINE" study course with Indian Medical Association.

The goal of Dr. A. K. Gupta’s life is to make rabies history. He has been successful in spreading awareness about correct Management of animal bites in school children, in village community, amongst medical professionals including medical students, nurses and Para-medical staff. They now know that correct Post Exposure Prophylaxis consists of

• 1. Local treatment of wound(s)
• 2. Categorization of animal bite wound(s)
• 3. Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV)
• 4. Administration of Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG)
• 5. In addition, Tetanus prophylaxis, analgesics & systemic antibiotics may be given.

As rabies is 100% fatal, there are no contraindications to post exposure prophylaxis.

People understand that they should avoid direct touching of wounds with bare hands, Cauterizing the wound is not advisable, suturing of the bite wound should be avoided if possible, We should never try to deepen the bite wound, Do not bandage the wound as far as possible, Rabies vaccine can be given to a child with chicken pox or measles, jaundice, Vaccination is required for a person bitten by a vaccinated dog also, these vaccines must not be administered in gluteal region, All modern rabies vaccines have a uniform dosage for all age groups, there is no single dose vaccine, Use of Rabies Immunoglobulin was negligible (2.1percent) which has increased now. Compliance to the full course was low (Approx. 40.5 percent) which has now increased.

Society has been tremendously benefitted by Dr. A.K. Gupta’s work. Besides knowing correct Post Exposure Prophylaxis, society now no longer believes in various myths about Rabies like applying turmeric, herbal extracts and sometimes ghee over the wound area. (Chilies, hydrogen- peroxide and cow dung were some other wrong practices followed mainly in the rural parts of India).

In rural areas, people also used to resort to witchcraft and religious practices and used to believe that Washing of wound(s) can cause hydrophobia and that Dietary changes can cure, that is, shift from vegetarianism to non-vegetarianism or vice versa; stopping consumption of white things etc. and believed that a single dose vaccine will prevent rabies. Other myths which have greatly reduced are like vaccines are more effective if taken on empty stomach, one should not take bath; eat meat and eggs during vaccination, Gems and stones have magical properties against rabies.

All above myths have been considerably reduced which is Dr. A. K. Gupta’s great achievement.

People in the society have understood the importance of pre-exposure immunisation and have started taking it to simplify Post Exposure Prophylaxis.
People now get their pets vaccinated against rabies.

Society now understands that Wound cleansing and immunizations, done as soon as possible after suspect contact with an animal and following World Health Organisation recommendations, can prevent the onset of rabies in virtually 100% of exposures.

Dr. A. K. Gupta’s AIRO was born out of a desire to make a difference to the lives of millions of people and dogs across India.

In 2019, Dr. A. K. Gupta founded AIRO, with the aims of alleviating suffering and promoting the welfare and moral perception of animals in India.

Giving up his spare time to volunteer with AIRO, Dr. Gupta has seen, first-hand, the devastating effects of rabies on people and animals and was determined to do something about it.

Many of the animal welfare organisations have made huge strides in combating rabies through sustained vaccination of dogs.

With the help of incredible sponsors; AIRO has developed from an idea into a reality which is set to save the lives of thousands of dogs and people across India.

There is a huge team behind AIRO, and these team-members are putting heart and soul into driving this project forwards and making it all it can be.

The AIRO team includes:

• 1) Director of strategic research.
• 2) Director of strategic partnerships.
• 3) Operational logistics support officer.
• 4) Trustee & specialist medicine consultant.
• 5) Head of fundraising.
• 6) Acting head of philanthropy.
• 7) Marketing officer.
• 8) Specialist medicine & research consultant.
• 9) Veterinary director, dogs trust.
• 10) Logistical support officer.