Join us on Sept. 28 to help bring awareness to World Rabies Day. It doesn't sound like a big deal does it? How many people have you encountered with rabies? How many animals?
The numbers are as staggering and shockingly eye-opening.
One person will die in the next ten minutes of rabies, says the Rabies Alliance. They will probably be a child, under the age of 15, most likely in Africa or Asia, but this highly preventable disease can affect us all. 55,000 people die per year of rabies. People. Not animals. That is how many deaths per year from this preventable disease occur across the globe.
For another sobering fact, rabies is 99.9% fatal and has the highest fatality rate of any known disease. And it is a brutal death, tortuous says the Alliance, but also preventable for the 2 billion people at risk around the world.
Here in the U.S., 2012 had over 6,000 reported cases of rabies, says the AVMA.
Over 130-years ago, Louis Pasteur successfully trialed the first rabies vaccine and because of Pasteur's tremendous contribution to the medicine and the health of us all, we commemorate his passing and celebrate World Rabies Day on Sept. 28 every year.
How can you do your part?
Vaccinate your animals with annual rabies vaccines. All animals, inside cats too. Find out from your veterinarian the appropriate protocol in your area, some states have annual vaccines; some have 3-year vaccines. Keep on top of this for your pets.
Sign up for the Rabies Alliance's newsletter, they send out just five per year.
The first World Rabies Day was in 2007, exceeding all goals. 400,000 people participated in 47 countries, according to National Awareness Days. This year, it is expected to have over 125 countries participate in the awareness, celebrations (including free rabies vaccination clinics across the globe for your pets) and education.
Do your part, get educated on rabies, it's here and will be until we get smart about it. We think you will be surprised by what you read. Help #endrabies today.
