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During World Rabies Day, World Animal Protection launched a new report ‘All Eyes on Dogs’, which provides the first roadmap with the actions needed to eliminate rabies transmitted by dogs by 2030. The report demonstrates how the Humanitarian rabies control can contribute to the implementation of One Health and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Emily Mudoga, Community Animal Campaign Manager for World Animal Protection said “This year’s World Rabies Day has come at a time when we are all very familiar with the global threat of zoonotic diseases as the world battles COVID-19. The importance of focusing on animal health, human health, and environmental health cannot be underestimated. Rabies is totally preventable and can be eliminated by focusing on dogs.
As global animal protection, wWe have been working hard not only to vaccinate and neuter dogs, but also to put all eyes on dogs for the elimination of rabies. Without prompt treatment, this disease is fatal, but unlike many diseases, it can be prevented with the correct course of action. Killing dogs does not stop the disease, mass vaccination of dogs is the only proven solution. “
Rabies has the highest mortality rate. The virus is generally transmitted through contact with the saliva of infected animals, most commonly as a result of a dog bite injury.
Worldwide, approximately 150 people die of rabies every day, mainly children under 15 years of age. It causes unnecessary suffering to families and dogs, while putting a financial burden on governments and communities. To counter fear of rabies, local or national authorities sometimes eliminate the local dog population in the mistaken belief that a lower dog density reduces the chances that people will be bitten by a rabid dog. This can compound the problem by killing potentially vaccinated animals, thus accelerating the spread of the disease.
Canine vaccination is financially the best option for the control of animal rabies and the prevention of rabies in humans. This should be done in conjunction with educational campaigns that focus on rabies basic knowledge, responsible dog ownership, bite prevention, and animal welfare.
World Rabies Day is a global health celebration marked to raise awareness of rabies and bring together partners to enhance prevention and control efforts around the world. This year’s theme is “End Rabies: Collaborate, Vaccinate.”
