On September 28, NGOs, governments and people around the world will come together on World Rabies Day to raise awareness about the dangers of the disease and how to stop it.
Control (GARC), seeks to educate the public about how rabies can be eradicated in people and pets if we take the appropriate measures. Around the world, dogs are the most common animal affected by rabies, with more than 99 percent of human cases stemming from dog bites. GARC sponsors the event not just to raise awareness for a day, but in the hope that communities can implement measures to help control the spread of rabies throughout the year.
Rabies Viruses
WORLD RABIES DAY TIMELINE
- 1920s: vaccination comes to the United States
Widespread adoption of rabies vaccine soon occurs - 1885 – First vaccine developed
It was developed for animals - 1700: Europe tries to eradicate rabies
Try to destroy all the stray dogs to fight the virus. - 300 BC – Aristotle writes about rage
Write an article pointing out a disease that affects dogs and any animal that the dog bites.
HOW TO OBSERVE WORLD RABIES DAY
Involve
GARC hosts dozens of events around the world, from South Africa to Afghanistan, where you can learn more about how to control rabies. The group is also circulating a pledge that people can sign up to fight for the Zero by 30 cause. Other ways to get involved include hosting an event for yourself or nominating a champion for a World Rabies Day award.
Do your research
There are several steps to take in different situations related to rabies. Make sure you know what to do if your pet bites someone else, if someone else’s pet bites you, or if your pet is bitten by another pet. In any of these cases, there are specific ways that doctors and veterinarians should handle the situation, so do your part to find out, too.
End stigma
When we think of rabies, we usually think of crazed dogs, humans, squirrels, and skunks, foaming at the mouth like zombies. Remember that these are symptoms of a deadly virus and should not be taken lightly. So instead of looking at rage as the plot of a horror movie, we may need to change our thinking if we want to eliminate it.
WHY WORLD RABIES DAY IS IMPORTANT
Has an ambitious goal
GARC has set an ambitious but admirable goal for rabies: zero by 30. That is, if the right measures are taken, the world could see zero human deaths from rabies caused by dog bites by 2030. This resolution was agreed in 2015 between a group of organizations including the World Health Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and GARC.
It is a serious disease
Each year, more than 60,000 people around the world die from rabies infection. Considering that rabies is considered a 100 percent preventable disease by the World Health Organization, it is now up to communities, NGOs and governments around the world to come together to implement the measures that will stop these unnecessary deaths.
Spread knowledge
By knowing how to prevent pets from contracting rabies, anyone can do their part to end the virus. World Rabies Day seeks to highlight local and state laws that help control the spread of the disease, and also organizes events to vaccinate puppies under 12 months of age. Knowing rabies is the first step to eradicate it among people and our pets.
