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World Rabies Day

The 28th of September this year will mark the 16th World Rabies Day. This year’s theme ‘Rabies: One Health, Zero Deaths’ will highlight the connection of the environment with both people and animals.    

People all over the world will unite on the 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 on 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 will put measures in place to help control the spread of rabies all year round.

GARC has set an 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 by rabies caused by dog bites by the year 2030. 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.

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 the 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.

Don’t be scared of rabies, be aware of it and act accordingly. The battle against rabies has to be fought together!

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