World Rabies Day – September 28, 2022 history significance why we celebrate timeline fact’s
On September 28, NGOs, governments, and people from all over the world will unite to on World Rabies Day to spread awareness about the dangers of the disease, and how it can be stopped. The event, put on by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), seeks to educate the public about how rabies can be eradicated in people and domestic animals if we take the appropriate steps.
Around the world, dogs are the most common animal affected by rabies, with more than 99 percent of human cases coming from dog bites. GARC sponsors the event not only to raise awareness for one day, but with the hope that communities can put measures in place to help control the spread of rabies all year round.
History of World Rabies Day
World Rabies Day was first observed in the year 2007 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC). It is an international awareness campaign organized by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control. The date is precisely chosen as it is the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur.
He was the one who along with his colleagues has developed the first efficacious rabies vaccine. Rabies Day is an awareness day that brings the impact of rabies disease and its preventive measures. Several organizations and communities globally actively conducting various events and activities on this day to raise more awareness about infectious disease.
The United Nation’s coordinating and directing authority for health including the World Health Organization (WHO) and GARC is also part of the events. The government and international agencies will usually announce plans, policies, and progress on eliminating rabies on this day.
Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease that causes acute encephalitis which is an inflammation of the brain in warm-blooded animals. It can be spread from one species to another like from dogs to humans, commonly by a bite from an infected dog. Rabies will also spread from the raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes. When a person is infected with rabies and is not administered before the symptoms, then the virus will infect the central nervous system.
It will ultimately cause brain disease and death finally. Hence, World Rabies Day is commemorated to increase community awareness about the disease to the general public and its prevention measures. One of the essential tools that exist to eliminate human deaths from rabies is to have animal and human vaccines.
WORLD RABIES DAY TIMELINE
300 BC
Aristotle writes about rabies
He writes a paper noting a disease that affects dogs and any animal the dog bites
1700s
Europe tries to eradicate rabies
It attempts to destroy all stray dogs to fight the virus
1885
First vaccine developed
It was developed for animals
1920s
Vaccination comes to America
Widespread adoption of the rabies vaccine soon occurs
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WHY WORLD RABIES DAY IS IMPORTANT
It has an ambitious goal
GARC has set an ambitious but admirable goal for rabies: Zero by 30. That is to say, by putting the right measures in place, the world could see zero human death of rabies caused by dog bites by the year 2030. This resolution was agreed upon in 2015 among a group of organizations including the World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health, UN Food and Agriculture Organization and GARC.
It’s a serious disease
Every year, more than 60,000 people around the world die from rabies infection. Considering the World Health Organization deems rabies a 100 percent preventable disease, it’s now up to communities, NGOs and governments around the world to come together to put the measures in place that will stop these unnecessary deaths.
It spreads knowledge
By knowing how to prevent pets from getting rabies, anyone can do their part to put an end to the virus. World Rabies Day seeks to highlight local and state laws that help control spread of the disease, and also hosts events for vaccinating puppies under 12 months of age. Knowing about rabies is the first step to eradicating it among people and our pets.
How to Observe World Rabies Day
Celebrating World Rabies Day is quite simple. Ensure yourself, and your pets are regularly vaccinated. You can educate the people about the preventive measures and the cause of the rabies disease in detail to others. Post and share your Rabies Day celebrations on social media using the hashtag #WorldRabiesDay.
