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World Rabies Day is observed on 28 September, every year, to raise awareness on Rabies and its prevention. Learn more about the World Rabies Day 2024 theme, its importance, and much more.
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September 28, 2024
World Rabies Day 2024: World Rabies Day is observed annually on September 28, marking the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur. He was the French scientist who developed the first rabies vaccine. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the prevention and control of rabies, a deadly but preventable viral disease that affects both humans and animals. Keep on reading to learn more about the theme of World Rabies Day 2024, its history, the global efforts in rabies control, and the importance of continued advocacy and action in eliminating this disease worldwide.
Rabies is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the saliva of infected animals, typically via bites or scratches. The virus affects the central nervous system, leading to brain inflammation and, if left untreated, death. Therefore to raise awareness, World Rabies Day 2024 was established by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
| World Rabies Day 2024 Highlights | |
| Highlights | Details |
| Date | 28 September 2024 |
| Theme | “Breaking Rabies Boundaries” |
| Objective | Raise awareness about rabies prevention and control, aiming to eliminate rabies deaths globally by 2030. |
| Established By | Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Primary Focus | Vaccination of dogs and public education about rabies prevention. |
| Global Participants | Over 150 countries participate in awareness campaigns, vaccination drives, and educational events. |
| Key Message | Rabies is 100% preventable through timely vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). |
| Significance of the Date | Marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death, the scientist who developed the first rabies vaccine. |
| Partnerships | Supported by international organizations such as WHO, FAO, WOAH, and GARC, with collaboration from governments and local communities. |
| Impact in 2024 | Focus on reducing human rabies deaths, particularly in countries with high rabies burden, such as India and parts of Africa and Southeast Asia. |
| Actions to Take | Organizing mass vaccination drives, increasing public awareness, improving access to PEP, and advocating for rabies control policies. |
Rabies is 100% preventable through vaccination, yet thousands of people, mostly in developing countries, die from it every year. Early vaccination and immediate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after an animal bite are critical to preventing rabies fatalities.
The theme for World Rabies Day 2024 is “Breaking Rabies Boundaries.” This theme underscores the global commitment to achieving zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. This goal aligns with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) in their efforts to eliminate rabies as a public health problem worldwide.
The 2024 theme emphasizes collaboration between governments, health organizations, veterinary services, and local communities to raise awareness, increase access to rabies vaccinations, and implement effective prevention measures. It also highlights the critical role of dog vaccination programs in reducing the risk of human rabies cases, particularly in regions where rabies is still endemic.
World Rabies Day was first observed in 2007. It is initiated by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) in collaboration with WHO and other global health organizations. Wondering why World rabies is celebrated on this date? The date, September 28, was chosen to honor Louis Pasteur, the inventor of the first rabies vaccine, who died on this day in 1895. Pasteur’s pioneering work in the development of vaccines revolutionized the prevention of rabies and saved countless lives.
Since 2007, World Rabies Day has grown into a global movement, with participation from more than 150 countries. Educational campaigns, vaccination drives, and public health initiatives are organized worldwide to raise awareness about rabies prevention and the importance of vaccinating dogs, which are responsible for over 99% of human rabies cases.
The rabies vaccine was discovered by Louis Pasteur, a French biologist and chemist, in 1885. Pasteur’s groundbreaking research on microorganisms led to the development of the first vaccine for rabies. He successfully tested the vaccine on a young boy who had been bitten by a rabid dog, saving the boy’s life. This marked a significant milestone in the fight against rabies and paved the way for the development of vaccines for other infectious diseases.
The Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to preventing rabies in humans by eliminating rabies in animals, particularly dogs. GARC works with governments, public health authorities, veterinarians, and local communities to develop and implement rabies control programs.
GARC’s mission is to create a world free from rabies, where no one dies from this preventable disease. The organization plays a crucial role in facilitating collaboration between various stakeholders, providing technical support, and advocating for the global eradication of rabies by 2030. GARC also coordinates the annual World Rabies Day celebrations, helping to spread knowledge and awareness through various educational materials and outreach programs.
India reports one of the highest rates of human rabies fatalities in the world, with an estimated 18,000-20,000 deaths annually. The majority of these cases are transmitted through dog bites, as the country has a large population of stray dogs. The rabies situation in India is compounded by the lack of widespread awareness about the disease, inadequate access to post-exposure prophylaxis, and challenges in controlling the stray dog population.
Efforts have been made by the Indian government and various non-governmental organizations to combat rabies through mass dog vaccination campaigns, educational programs, and improving access to rabies treatment in rural areas. Despite these efforts, rabies remains a significant public health concern, particularly in regions with poor healthcare infrastructure.
| Rabies Statistics in India (2023) | |
| Metric | Data |
| Estimated annual deaths | 20,000 |
| Percentage of deaths in rural areas | 60% |
| Percentage of cases due to dog bites | 99% |
| Access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) | Limited in rural regions |
| National mass dog vaccination coverage | 50-60% |
The National Rabies Control Program (NRCP) in India is a public health initiative aimed at preventing rabies in humans through the vaccination of dogs and raising awareness about rabies prevention and control. Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the NRCP focuses on the following objectives:
The NRCP collaborates with various stakeholders, including state governments, veterinary services, and international organizations, to achieve its goal of reducing rabies transmission and deaths in India.
There are many ways to participate in World Rabies Day 2024 and contribute to the fight against rabies. Here are some ideas:
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