World Rabies Day is an annual commemoration that is marked on September 28 around the world. The global health observance started in 2007 to raise awareness about the world’s deadliest infectious disease. The day is marked on September 28 as it is the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur who, with the collaboration of his colleagues, developed the first efficacious rabies vaccine. Rabies remains a significant health problem in many countries of the world. This year, it will be the 17th World Rabies Day. World Rabies Day aims to bring together partners to enhance prevention and control efforts worldwide. World Rabies Day is an international awareness campaign coordinated by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control, a non-profit organization with headquarters in the United States. Uttar Pradesh: Rabies-Infected Girl Bites 40 People After Being Attacked by Stray Dog in Jalaun, Both Die. 

World Rabies Day 2023 Date

World Rabies Day 2023 will be observed on Thursday, September 28.

World Rabies Day 2023 Theme

World Rabies Day 2023 theme is ‘All for 1, One Health for all’.

World Rabies Day History

The first World Rabies Day campaign was held on September 8, 2007, as a partnership between the Alliance for Rabies Control and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA. The event was organized with the co-sponsorship of the World Health Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the Pan-American Health Organization. In the following years, World Rabies Day became popular and was celebrated worldwide. In 2009, the Global Alliance for Rabies Control estimated that rabies prevention and awareness events had taken place in over 100 countries, and over 100 million people worldwide had been educated about rabies. Moreover, it was found that nearly 3 million dogs had been vaccinated during events linked to the campaign.

World Rabies Day Significance

World Rabies Day serves as an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of rabies on humans and animals. The day seeks to provide information and advice on how to prevent the disease in at-risk communities and support advocacy for increased efforts in rabies control. World Rabies Day is a significant observance as it highlights the fact of how rabies can impact communities around the world. Rabies is still present in many parts of the United States and is mostly found in wildlife.

The day is a United Nations Observance and has been endorsed by the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 29, 2023 11:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).