WORLD RABIES DAY 2024

Rabies is a deadly virus affecting the nervous system, spread through bites or scratches from infected animals. World Rabies Day on September 28th raises awareness and supports global efforts to eliminate the disease. Learn more about the day’s theme, history, and essential care tips for animal bites.

The theme for World Rabies Day 2024, "Breaking Rabies Boundaries," is selected to emphasize the need for advancement and moving beyond the current limitations in rabies prevention and control efforts.

World Rabies Day was introduced in 2007 as the first global initiative dedicated to rabies prevention. It emerged during a period when rabies was responsible for tens of thousands of deaths annually, especially in developing nations with limited access to healthcare and animal vaccinations. The event has been instrumental in promoting wider access to post-exposure treatment and encouraging more extensive vaccination of pets.

The significance of World Rabies Day stems from the fact that rabies is a preventable disease, yet it still causes over 59,000 deaths each year, primarily in rural areas of Africa and Asia. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of animal vaccination, educate the public on preventing bites, and ensure timely access to post-exposure treatment. It also aligns with the global goal of eliminating human deaths caused by dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.