World Rabies Day: “End Rabies: Collaborate, Vaccinate”

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Every year from 2007, September 28 has been marked as ‘World Rabies Day’ for global health observance to raise awareness about rabies and taking necessary precautions pertaining to its severity.

Incidentally, September 28 is also the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur. He is a French chemist and microbiologist, who first developed a vaccine for rabies.

Rabies, can be cured, in its absolute essence, but according to a study, over 59,000 people annually die due to rabies. This day is observed in a number of countries, primarily the United States. The day gives a specific time-frame or occasion to analyze what efforts are being put to take charge of the disease and to have a constant reminder about battling through with knowledge and precautions.

The major problem associated with Rabies is not how horrifying the disease is but the lack of awareness and information about how the disease happens, how it affects the human beings and animals, what happens during the disease and how to take precautions and treat it further. Generally, Rabies is contracted via all types of mammals and in particular wild animals.

In terms of understanding the gravity of the situation, major health organizations that include Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), World Health Organization for Animal Health (OIE), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have collaborated together and taken a pledge to eradicate human deaths from rabies caused through dog transmission by 2030.

The 2020 theme for World Rabies Day 2020 is “End Rabies: Collaborate, Vaccinate”. This year vaccination is highlighted at the centre, and awareness about tackling the situation. So, one can contribute by keeping their pets safe by timely checking their vaccination of rabies and accordingly collaborating with doctors, veterinarians, educators, community workers, policy makers and people in the community to further raise awareness and focus on rabies prevention and control.

Let’s together build awareness about Rabies and take an initiative to always check on the vaccination of our pets.