Make Rabies History

Despite being 100% preventable, rabies results in an estimated 55,000 deaths globally each year – approximately one person every 10 minutes. Most of these deaths are reported from Africa and Asia with almost 50% of the victims being children under the age of 15. The most important global source of rabies in humans is from uncontrolled rabies in dogs. Children are often at greatest risk from rabies, as they are most likely to be bitten by dogs or other animals and are often bitten in high-risk areas (such as the head or face).

World Rabies Day – A Global Solution

Photo courtesy of WSPA

In 2006, a group of international rabies experts decided it was time to take action against this preventable disease. Founded by the Alliance for Rabies Control, a UK charity, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Rabies Day initiative aims to bring together all of the important stakeholders towards the common objective of human rabies prevention and animal rabies control.

Events are planned throughout the world in at least 61 countries to increase awareness of rabies and to raise support and funding towards its control and prevention. In the United States, at least 45 individual events are taking place, primarily focused at 28 of the US Colleges of Veterinary Medicine. These events include vaccination clinics, runs, walks, concerts, festivals and educational seminars.

Events, such as this rabies awareness walk in Pakistan, are planned globally in recognition of World Rabies Day.
(Photo courtesy of Dr Naseem Salahuddin)

Numerous international partners have teamed up with the Alliance for Rabies Control and CDC towards this effort. The World Organization for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties (OIE)) and the World Health Organization are co-supporters of the World Rabies Day initiative. Other partners include the World Society for the Protection of Animals, the World Veterinary Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the British Veterinary Association, the Commonwealth Veterinary Association, Student Chapters of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA), and numerous other professional organizations throughout the world. These partners are "Working Together to Make Rabies History!"

For more information about rabies: www.cdc.gov/rabies

For more information about World Rabies Day: www.worldrabiesday.org