World Rabies Day is a significant event dedicated to raising awareness about rabies prevention and control. It emphasizes the importance of protecting both humans and animals from this deadly disease.
World Rabies Day is observed annually on September 28. This is an important day in human and animal health, as it marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death—the scientist who developed the first effective rabies vaccine in 1885. Because of Pasteur’s contribution, the anniversary of his death was chosen to promote education about rabies prevention.
Despite significant progress in eliminating rabies, an estimated 59,000 people die annually from this disease worldwide, mostly in developing countries. Even in the United States, there are a few cases of rabies in humans each year. In North America, wildlife such as skunks, raccoons and bats can spread rabies to dogs and cats. Because rabies is a zoonotic disease, it can be transmitted from animals to humans, usually via a bite or scratch. Once inside the body, the virus travels to the brain. Without timely post-exposure treatment, rabies is almost always fatal.
The Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) is leading the World Rabies Day initiative. This year’s theme is “Breaking Rabies Boundaries.” GARC has delivered millions of rabies vaccines to countries in Africa and Asia, targeting stray dogs and educating communities about rabies prevention.
