This is the first of a series of Rabies related blog entries. We’re doing this series in support of World Rabies Day, Sept 28, 2017. Each entry will focus on different aspects of Rabies: including this entry - World Rabies Day, then Fact versus Fiction, and Infection and Treatment.
What is “World Rabies Day”? Sept 28, World Rabies Day is an official United Nations Observance endorsed by organizations including the World Health Organization, US Centers for Disease Control {CDC}, World Organization for Animal Health and Pan American Health Organization. It is coordinated by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control {GARC}. The GARC was founded in 2006. The first World Rabies Day was observed on Sept 18, 2007.
What is “World Rabies Day” for? Every year, approximately 50,000 people die due to untreated rabies infections. The Observance is to help educate people about how rabies can be prevented, controlled and treated.
Why Sept 28? Sept 28 marks the death of Louis Pasteur in 1895 at the age of 72. Louis Pasteur, in collaboration of his colleagues, developed the first effective rabies vaccine.
Resources:
GARC – World Rabies Day Events
CDC – World Rabies Day
CDC – Rabies and Kids {Educational, Activities}
CDC – Rabies {CDC’s Home Page for Rabies}
Florida Health – Rabies {Florida State Health Dept’s Rabies Home Page} - Site includes educational brochures in English and Spanish; state maps showing reported animal rabies cases; and more general information on infectious diseases from animals here in Florida.