The third annual World Rabies Day would be observed across the globe today (Sep 28), aiming to raise awareness and understanding about the importance of rabies prevention. The campaign brings together thousands of individuals from health experts to everyday people for a unified show of support of anti-rabies efforts.
World Rabies Day advocates for the health of the total population (human and animal), through a "One Medicine" approach and is the only world-wide event of its kind focused on global rabies control and prevention. Various World Rabies Day events were held throughout the world including vaccination clinics, runs for rabies, parades, educational seminars, festival and marches.
Despite being 100 percent preventable, one person dies from rabies every ten minutes. It is estimated that 55,000 people die world-wide from rabies each year.
Children are particularly at risk, with almost half of all rabies deaths occurring in children under 15 years. The main source of human exposure to rabies, especially in children, is from dogs. Rabies can be transmitted from dogs not vaccinated against the disease. Unfortunately, vaccination is neglected in many parts of the world.
The WRD initiative aims to bring together relevant partners in an effort to address rabies prevention and control. "This is a co-ordinated effort to let the world know that this disease can be readily prevented through education, pet vaccination and increased human awareness of proper wound management and administration of rabies vaccination after an exposure has occurred", said Dr Deborah Briggs, Executive Director of the Alliance for Rabies Control.
There are safe and effective vaccines available for people who have been bitten by an animal that might have the disease, but usage in developing countries is low due to the high.