On World Rabies Day, WVA and WMA unite to call for 鈥淏reaking Rabies Boundaries鈥�
To mark World Rabies Day on 28 September 2024, the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and the 国产一区二区三区精品福利 (WMA) demand continued efforts to eliminate rabies. Under the theme 鈥淏reaking Rabies Boundaries鈥�, the two organisations advocate for a One Health approach, vaccination for high-risk groups, and universal access to rabies treatment.
Rabies, a fatal yet preventable disease, is estimated to cause聽 human deaths a year across 150 countries, according to the World Health Organization. 95% of cases occur in Africa and Asia. This makes it a significant public health threat in those regions.
The WVA and the WMA in their support for a One Health approach, call for actions that emphasize the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in the fight to break the cycle of rabies transmission.
鈥淎 unified approach to 鈥淏reaking Rabies Boundaries鈥� is critical to ensure that this preventable disease is no longer a threat to human or animal health,鈥� said Dr Lujain Alqodmani, President of the 国产一区二区三区精品福利.
鈥淩abies vaccination is a powerful preventive measure for people living in areas where rabies is prevalent or those likely to come into contact with rabies-infected animals, like veterinarians, animal handlers and travellers to affected regions.鈥�
Dr John De Jong, President of the World Veterinary Association, added, 鈥淰accination of dogs and wildlife is one of the most effective ways to break the rabies transmission cycle. Dog-bites are responsible for up to 99% of human rabies cases, therefore canine vaccination campaigns are critical in regions where rabies is prevalent.
鈥淎dditional wildlife vaccination programs aimed at species such as bats, foxes, and raccoons can also reduce the spread of rabies from wildlife to humans and domestic animals,鈥� he continued.
Deaths from rabies are preventable through prompt post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent the virus from reaching the central nervous system. PEP includes thorough wound washing, a course of human rabies vaccine and if indicated, rabies immunoglobulins (RIG). However, universal access to this life-saving treatment is not yet a reality in many parts of the world.
and WMA call for a concerted global effort to ensure that universal access to rabies treatment becomes a reality for all, regardless of geographic location or financial status.
World Rabies Day continues to highlight the importance of eliminating rabies and the ultimate objective remains the eradication of this deadly disease by 2030, as outlined in the 鈥榋ero by 30 plan鈥� by WHO, WOAH (formerly OIE), FAO and GARC.