World Rabies Day

World Rabies Day
Source: News 18
GS II: Policies and Developmental Studies

What is discussed under World Rabies Day?

Every year on September 28th, World Rabies Day is observed to promote awareness and educate people about the seriousness of Rabies.

The theme of World Rabies Day 2022, according to the World Health Organization, is ‘Rabies: One Health, Zero Deaths.’
- One Heath in the theme depicts the health system’s weaknesses.
- It also shows how generous they can be with cross-sector collaboration.
- Zero Deaths signifies that the world has all of the medications, techniques, vaccinations, and technology necessary to eradicate the illness, and that “zero deaths” should be the ultimate aim.
The theme emphasises the interdependence of the environment, people, and animals.

The first World Rabies Day campaign was held in 2007.
Image by aleksandarlittlewolf on Freepik
The campaign began as a collaboration between many groups, including:
- The Alliance for Rabies Control
- The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Co-sponsors of this event are:
- The World Health Organization
- The World Organization for Animal Health
- The Pan American Health Organization
After three years of honouring World Rabies Day, it was projected that over 100 nations held preventive and awareness activities.
Over 100 million people were informed about the hazards of getting rabies.
Meanwhile, 3 million dogs were immunised.

On World Rabies Day, a network of worldwide government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and vaccine makers utilise the day to arrange events, conferences, and campaigns led by professionals to aid in the elimination of the illness.
The administration also outlines plans and initiatives to move the country closer to its objective.
The Global Strategic Plan for the elimination of this dog-mediated disease aims for zero fatalities by 30 years (2030).

Rabies

Rabies is a dangerous virus that is transmitted to humans through the saliva of infected animals.
The rabies virus is typically spread by a bite.
Stray dogs are the most likely carriers of rabies in underdeveloped nations.
When a person begins to exhibit rabies symptoms, the disease almost often kills them.

Symptoms

The earliest signs of rabies can be quite similar to flu symptoms and can continue for days.
Subsequent signs and symptoms may include:
- Fever, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Agitation, Anxiety, Confusion, Hyperactivity, Swallowing Difficulties, Sucking excessively, Fear caused by attempting to consume fluids due to trouble swallowing water, Fear caused by air blasted in the face, Hallucinations

Treatment

There is no effective therapy for rabies once it has been established.
Although a few humans have survived rabies, the disease is typically fatal.
As a result, if exposed to rabies, should take a series of vaccinations to prevent the virus from spreading.

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