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World Rabies Day is observed on September 28 every year to raise awareness about rabies prevention and control, and to promote actions to eliminate the disease. The theme for 2024 is ‘Breaking Rabies Boundaries’ emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach to eliminate rabies and highlighting the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is transmitted primarily through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, usually dogs. Despite being 100% preventable, rabies continues to be a significant public health issue, particularly in Asia and Africa, where 95% of human rabies deaths occur. In India, rabies remains a top five priority disease, with around 20,847 human deaths reported annually.
To combat this, organizations like the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and local governments have taken proactive measures. GARC has developed tools like the Stepwise Approach towards Rabies Elimination (SARE) to guide countries in planning and implementing rabies control programs. India's current SARE score is 1.5 out of 5, indicating that small-scale control programs are underway, with efforts to develop a national rabies control program.
In India, various activities and events are planned for World Rabies Day 2024:
Awareness Drives: Educational programs and awareness drives are being organized by local animal welfare societies and health departments. For instance, a significant rabies awareness program is taking place in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, to educate the public on the risks of rabies and prevention strategies.
Vaccination Campaigns: As part of the efforts to control the spread of rabies, vaccination drives for stray dogs have been launched in several cities. In Nagpur, a drive to vaccinate over 20,000 stray dogs has been initiated, while Mumbai's BMC has started a large-scale vaccination drive. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated funds to vaccinate 500,000 dogs against rabies.
Capacity Building Initiatives: GARC has been working closely with various states in India to build capacity and improve rabies surveillance. Tools like the Vaccination and Sterilization Tracker (VST) have been introduced in states like Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh to monitor and control rabies more effectively.
Globally, numerous events such as educational seminars, vaccination clinics, and awareness campaigns are being organized to promote a collective effort towards rabies elimination.
The approach emphasizes that the health of humans, animals, and the environment is interconnected. This comprehensive strategy involves collaboration between various sectors – including health, agriculture, and wildlife management – to achieve effective rabies control and ultimately eliminate the disease. It focuses on three main pillars:
Vaccination: Ensuring that both humans at risk and animals, particularly dogs, are vaccinated against rabies.
Education: Raising awareness about rabies transmission, prevention, and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention after potential exposure.
Surveillance and Monitoring: Enhancing reporting mechanisms and tracking the spread of rabies to implement targeted interventions.
Vaccinate: Regularly vaccinate pets, strays and livestock against rabies to prevent the spread of the virus.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention: If bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
World Rabies Day 2024 serves as a reminder of the importance of global collaboration and the “One Health” approach in eliminating rabies. By promoting awareness, vaccination, and education, we can work towards the goal of zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030, in line with the "Zero by 30" global strategic plan.
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