World Rabies Day is observed on 28 September each year and aims to raise awareness about rabies prevention. It marks the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death, French chemist and microbiologist who developed the first rabies vaccine.
Rabies is a deadly virus which commonly transmitted through animal bites- saliva of infected animals. This virus attacks the central nervous system resulting in inflammation in the brain.
According to WHO, Rabies is estimated to cause 59 000 human deaths annually in over 150 countries, with 95% of cases occurring in Africa and Asia.
Also, The WHO estimates the death toll caused by rabies in India at about 1 lakh in the last five years with more than 1/3rd of the total deaths across the globe.
The theme for the World Rabies Day 2020 is ‘End Rabies Collaborate, Vaccinate.’ According to the Global Alliance for Rabies Control, the theme focuses on the current issues in rabies elimination, “namely: The goal of Zero by 30, The importance of dog vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis and The need for a united effort towards achieving the elimination of this transboundary disease.”
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