World Rabies Day History and Theme | All About Rabies Disease | Symptoms | Prevention

The World Rabies Day is celebrated annually on September 28^th with a rabies day theme. This day is celebrated to raise awareness about Rabies Disease and for rabies elimination globally. It also highlights the impact of rabies on humans & animals. As well as this day aims to educate people about rabies prevention. Rabies is a fatal Disease and Symptoms of rabies in humans occur in the severe form. Rabies prevention is possible through strategic control of dog bite cases. World Rabies Day History has a relation with Louis Pasteur.

This day was initiated by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), in 2007 in collaboration with organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and others. This day is celebrated with a specific theme every year.

World Rabies Day History

World Rabies Day history links back to Louis Pasteur. This World Rabies Day is celebrated globally on 28^th September every Year. This is because the 28th of September is Louis Pasteur’s death anniversary. Louis Pasteur was the French scientist who developed the first successful rabies vaccine. He died on this day in 1895. Global Alliance for Rabies Control initiated this day in 2007. GARC is a non-profit organization founded in 2006. This organization is dedicated to prevent human rabies and eliminating rabies in animals. This day unites people, organizations, and stakeholders worldwide against Rabies because together we can eliminate Rabies.

Book on Elimination of Dog-Mediated Rabies 

World Rabies Day theme 2024

This day is celebrated with a selective theme every year. Rabies Day theme 2024 is “Breaking Rabies Boundaries”.  Every Year rabies day theme is selected according to the current situation and global trends for rabies and health in general. This rabies day theme 2024 “Breaking Rabies Boundaries” emphasizes the urgent need to go beyond the norm and to break through the boundaries to overcome various obstacles that hinder progress in the global fight against rabies. This Rabies Day Theme also supports the broader “Zero by 30″ goal, aiming for zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

There are many boundaries that prevent us from achieving rabies elimination. Therefore, all these boundaries need to be addressed for effective rabies prevention and elimination. In addition, this theme also reflects rabies as a transboundary disease. Moreover, it also highlights challenges such as lack of cooperation between sectors, gaps in disease awareness, and limited access to resources.

History of Rabies and its causes and control 

What is Rabies Disease?

Rabies Disease is a viral, zoonotic disease that affects the central nervous system of humans and other mammals. Rabies is mainly caused by Rhabdoviruses or Rabies virus from the genus Lyssavirus (RABV). Genus Lyssavirus contains a group of negative-stranded RNA viruses of the family Rhabdoviridae.

Rabies is also referred as hydrophobia (fear of water). Dogs bite causes Rabies cases in Humans. Rabies virus causes the acute infection of the central nervous system in humans. There are five general stages in humans infection: incubation, prodrome, acute neurologic period, coma, and death. The incubation period is variable, ranging from fewer than 10 days to longer than 2 years, but is usually 1–3 months. However, the time of rabies disease onset depends on how long it takes the virus to travel from the wound site to the brain. Symptoms of Rabies in humans are fearful and disastrous.

Rabies Transmission

Primarily, rabies is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. The virus is present in the saliva of the infected animal and enters the body through broken skin or mucous membranes. In over 99% of human cases, rabies is transmitted by domestic or stray dogs. However, wildlife such as bats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks can also carry the virus. All warm-blooded animals are susceptible to rabies.

Symptoms of Rabies in Humans and Animals

Symptoms of Rabies in humans occur in 1-3 months. The initial symptoms of rabies in humansmay include flu, fever, and headache. As the disease spreads to the brain, more severe neurological symptoms appear including abnormal behavior, hallucinations, hydrophobia, paralysis, and muscle spasm.  As well as, foaming in the mouth also occurs due to paralysis of swallowing muscles. If it remains without immediate treatment it causes coma and death. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms of rabies in humans appear. That is why urgent post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is critical following a suspected rabies exposure. Usually, death occurs two to ten days after the first symptom.

Rabies Vaccination and Pet Management 

Initial Rabies symptoms in animals include changes in behavior, anxiety, and restlessness. As the disease progresses, the animal becomes aggressive, change occurs in their vocalization, (dogs barking strangely), hydrophobic, and foaming at the mouth. However, rabies in animals is difficult to diagnose without laboratory testing. Rabies symptoms in animals vary depending on the stage of the disease.

Rabies Prevention and World Rabies Day

There is no cure for rabies but it is 100% preventable disease. Almost all human exposure to rabies was fatal until rabies vaccine was developed in 1885 by Louis Pasteur. The best way to control rabies is dogs vaccination. Therefore, a mass dog vaccination program is the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people because it stops the transmission.

Avoiding dog bites is a critical part of rabies prevention, as most human cases are caused by dog bites, especially stray dogs. After, a dog bite wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes after a bite or scratch from a potentially rabid animal. This can dramatically reduce the chance of infection. As well as bitten patient should then receive a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and multiple doses of rabies vaccine to prevent the virus from reaching the nervous system. It is also called Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).

More Information about Rabies and Rabies Control Program in Pakistan

In addition, raising awareness about rabies prevention, vaccination, and the risks of animal bites is key to prevention. Day of rabies Disease also raises awareness. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended for people such as veterinarians, animal handlers, or individuals traveling to high-risk areas.

TNVR in Dogs and Dog Population Control

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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