In order to spread awareness about the dangers of the disease, and how it can be stopped, on September 28, NGOs, governments, and people from all over the world will unite on World Rabies Day. This event was put on by the GARC (Global Alliance for Rabies Control), goal of this event is to educate the public that if we take the appropriate steps rabies can be eliminated among domestic animals and people. Dogs are the most common animal affected by rabies around the world. More than 99 percent of human cases come from dog bites. Global Alliance for Rabies Control sponsors the event not only to increase awareness for one day but with the expectation that communities can put actions in place to help prevent the spread of rabies all year round.
Timeline of World Rabies Day
300 BC (Aristotle wrote about rabies) – He wrote a paper documenting a disease that affects dogs and any animal the dog bites.
1700s (Europe tried to eradicate rabies) – Europe attempted to destroy all homeless dogs to fight the virus.
1885 (The first vaccine developed) – This vaccine was developed for animals.
1920s (Vaccination came to America) – Overall adoption of the rabies vaccine soon occurred.
How to Mark World Rabies Day
Get involved
Around the world, GARC hosts dozens of events, from Afghanistan to South Africa, where you can learn more about how to manage rabies. People can also sign a pledge that is aimed to fight for the Zero by 30 cause. Further ways to get involved include nominating a champion for a World Rabies Day award or organizing an event for yourself.
Do your research
In a number of different situations regarding rabies, there are several steps that must be taken. Make certain you know how to act if another person’s pet bites you, if your pet bites another person, or if your pet is bitten by another pet. In any of these circumstances, there are particular ways doctors and veterinarians must manage the situation, so do your research to be aware as well.
End the stigma
When we hear the word rabies, we commonly think of crazed dogs, squirrels, humans, and skunks with foam at the mouth like zombies. You shouldn’t take lightly these symptoms of a deadly virus. Rather than seeing rabies as the plot of a horror movie, we ought to change our thinking if we are going to eliminate the virus.
Why World Rabies Day Is Significant
It has an ambitious goal
Global Alliance for Rabies Control has set an ambitious but admirable goal for rabies. By putting the right measures in place, by the year 2030, the world could see zero human death to rabies caused by dog bites. In 2015, this resolution was agreed upon by a group of organizations involving the GARC, the World Health Organization, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Organization for Animal Health.
It is a severe disease
Approximately, 60,000 people worldwide die from rabies infection annually. The World Health Organization considers rabies a 100 percent preventable disease, now it is up to governments, communities, and NGOs around the world to gather in order to put the measures in place that will end these unneeded deaths.
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It spreads knowledge
Anyone can do their part to put an end to the virus by knowing how to prevent pets from getting rabies. World Rabies Day aims to emphasize local and state laws that assist to manage the spread of the disease and also hosts events for vaccinating pups under the age of 12 months. The first step to eradicating rabies among people and our pets is knowing about it.
