With technical support from PAHO, Nicaragua strengthened its diagnostic and surveillance capacities to advance toward the elimination of dog‑mediated human rabies.

Cooperation included training of professionals at the national and subnational levels, as well as personnel from the National Diagnostic and Reference Centre, in the standardization of sample collection and diagnostic procedures, alongside a technical assessment of rabies laboratory facilities. PAHO financed the renovation of the laboratory in accordance with biosafety standards. These interventions increased the sensitivity and timeliness of surveillance, strengthened evidence‑based decision‑making, and initiated the documentation process required for validation of elimination.