World Rabies Day: A Day to Raise Awareness and Prevent Rabies

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and animals. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, usually a dog. Rabies causes fever, headache, confusion, agitation, and fear of water. If left untreated, rabies can lead to paralysis, coma, and death within days. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies kills about 59,000 people every year, mostly in Asia and Africa.

World Rabies Day is a global campaign that aims to raise awareness and advocate for the elimination of rabies. It is celebrated every year on September 28, the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur, the French scientist who developed the first rabies vaccine. World Rabies Day was initiated by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) in 2007 and has been endorsed by WHO and other international organizations.

Theme and Significance of World Rabies Day

The theme for World Rabies Day 2023 is “Together as One: One Health”. This theme emphasizes the importance of collaboration and coordination among different sectors and stakeholders to prevent and control rabies. One Health is an approach that recognizes the interconnection between human health, animal health, and environmental health.

World Rabies Day is significant because it provides an opportunity to educate people about rabies and its prevention, to recognize the achievements and challenges in rabies elimination, and to mobilize resources and support for rabies programs. World Rabies Day also honors the efforts and contributions of rabies workers, researchers, veterinarians, health workers, educators, and community members who work tirelessly to save lives from rabies.

How to Celebrate World Rabies Day

There are many ways to celebrate World Rabies Day and to join the global movement to end rabies. Some of the activities that can be done are:

Participate in or organize a rabies vaccination campaign for dogs or other animals in your area. Vaccinating dogs is the most effective way to prevent rabies transmission to humans.
Learn more about rabies and its prevention by visiting the websites of WHO, GARC, or other reliable sources. You can also take online courses or webinars on rabies offered by GARC or other organizations.
Share information and messages about rabies and World Rabies Day on social media platforms using the hashtags #WorldRabiesDay #TogetherAsOne #OneHealth. You can also use the official World Rabies Day logo or create your own posters, flyers, banners, or videos to spread awareness.
Donate or fundraise for rabies programs or organizations that work to eliminate rabies. You can also support or nominate individuals or groups who have made a difference in rabies prevention or control for the World Rabies Day Awards organized by GARC.
Join or organize a local event or activity to mark World Rabies Day in your community. This can include rallies, walks, runs, bike rides, concerts, exhibitions, quizzes, competitions, or any other creative ideas that can attract attention and engagement.

By celebrating World Rabies Day, we can raise awareness and inspire people to take action against rabies. Together as one, we can make a difference and end human deaths from rabies by 2030.