World Rabies Day 2024: Urgent Action Needed to Eliminate Preventable Deaths
Table of Contents
September 28, 2024, 06:38:09 UTC – Today marks World Rabies Day, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness and galvanizing efforts to combat a disease that remains a significant public health threat, particularly in Southeast Asia. This year’s theme, “Act Now: You, Me, Community,” underscores the critical role of individual and collective responsibility in achieving a rabies-free future.
Rabies,a viral disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals,primarily dogs,continues to claim an estimated 27,700 lives each year in the WHO South-East Asia Region – representing nearly half of all global rabies fatalities. Every life lost is a stark reminder of the urgency to act,
emphasizes the need for intensified prevention and control measures.Tragically,the vast majority of victims are children under 15,often residing in underserved communities with limited access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and essential healthcare.
The Scale of the Challenge
in 2023 alone, Member States in the region reported over 13 million animal exposures, leading to more then 1 million people receiving PEP. However, underreporting remains a concern, highlighting gaps in surveillance systems and access to care. Strengthening these areas, alongside increased public awareness, is paramount to effectively tackling the disease.
Taking Action: A three-Pronged Approach
The “Act Now” theme encourages a multi-faceted approach, empowering individuals, fostering leadership, and strengthening community-level initiatives:
- You – Protect yourself and your pets through vaccination, educate yourself and others about rabies prevention, and prioritize immediate and thorough wound washing followed by prompt medical attention.
- Me – Champion rabies elimination efforts, support organizations working on the ground, and inspire others to join the cause.
- Community – organize vaccination drives for pets, raise awareness about rabies risks, and advocate for stronger local health systems.
Did You Know?
Rabies is 100% preventable if post-exposure prophylaxis is administered promptly and correctly.
The ‘zero by 30’ strategy and One Health Collaboration
Recognizing the severity of the issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) prioritized rabies as one of 21 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in 2015. This led to the launch of the aspiring Zero by 30
strategy, aiming to eliminate human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. Achieving this goal requires a unified, multisectoral “One Health” approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health expertise.
| Year | Animal Exposures (SEA region) | People Receiving PEP (SEA Region) | Estimated Deaths (SEA Region) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 13,000,000+ | 1,000,000+ | 27,700 |
| Goal (2030) | N/A | N/A | 0 |
to accelerate progress, the WHO South-East Asia Region established a Regional Technical Advisory Group in 2023. The WHO continues to collaborate with its Quadripartite partners – WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), and UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) – to support Member States in building robust One Health partnerships.
Pro Tip: If bitten by an animal,instantly wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
Priorities for a Rabies-Free future
Key priorities for the WHO South-East Asia Region include:
- Sustaining high-level advocacy and securing adequate resource allocation.
- Strengthening post-exposure prophylaxis,surveillance,and laboratory capacity.
- Enhancing dog vaccination coverage and implementing effective population management strategies.
- Promoting community engagement and education to raise awareness about rabies prevention.
On this World Rabies Day, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to a future free from the threat of rabies. We must Act Now, for every child, every family, and every community.
What steps will you take today to contribute to rabies elimination? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below!
Do you know where to access PEP in your community? Find out today and share the information with your network.
rabies: A Historical and Global viewpoint
Rabies has been recognized for millennia, with written records dating back to 2300 BC in Mesopotamia. Historically, the disease was often fatal and associated with fear and superstition.The development of the first effective rabies vaccine by Louis Pasteur in 1885 marked a turning point in the fight against the disease. Despite significant progress, rabies remains a public health concern in many parts of the world, particularly in Asia and Africa, where dog-mediated rabies is moast prevalent. The One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, is now considered essential for achieving enduring rabies control and elimination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rabies
- What is rabies? Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system, typically transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.
- How is rabies prevented? Rabies is 100% preventable through prompt post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after a potential exposure and vaccination of pets.
- What are the symptoms of rabies? Early symptoms can include fever, headache, and general weakness. As the disease progresses,neurological symptoms such as confusion,agitation,and paralysis develop.
- What should I do if I am bitten by an animal? Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention for PEP.
- Is rabies a significant problem in Southeast Asia? Yes,the WHO South-East Asia Region bears nearly half of the global burden of rabies deaths,with an estimated 27,700 fatalities annually.
- What is the ‘Zero by 30’ strategy? This is a global initiative led by the WHO aiming to eliminate human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
