28th September marks World Rabies Day, which encompasses an international awareness movement on the rabies virus and its elimination. For the second consecutive year, PetVet honors the date through a free anti-rabies vaccination program that intends to mass immunize pets and rescues.
Fueled by the success of the preceding year’s program, PetVet has subsequently organized an anti-rabies vaccination program for the 28th & 29th of September 2024 from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, in line with the global 2024 theme – Breaking Rabies Boundaries. In addition to being administered for absolutely free, the vaccines allocated for the program are of high-quality brands – Rabisin and Nobivac. To ensure efficiency, program participants have been urged to book appointments by contacting the PetVet team at 0112 599 799 or filling the form here.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a fatal viral zoonotic disease, primarily found in mammals, which causes acute infection of the nervous system. It can be transmitted from animals to humans through bites, scratches, and direct contact of mucus and saliva with eyes, mouth, or open wounds. The infestation is not limited to cats and dogs, but rather extends to various wildlife as well. Typically, symptoms present as acute behavioral changes and progressive paralysis. It has no cure following onset of symptoms. However, rabies is 100% vaccine-preventable.
What are the Statistics?
In Sri Lanka, The Epidemiology Unit and Ministry of Health reported:
- an average of 25 deaths every year,
- 250,000 animal bites every year,
- 37% positive animal heads in 2023 – 80% dogs and 16% cats.
Globally, The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and World Health Organization (WHO) reported:
- over 59,000 deaths every year,
- one death every 9 minutes,
- 40% of deaths – children under 15 years of age.
Why is World Rabies Day Celebrated?
The date commemorates the death of Louis Pasteur, French chemist and microbiologist, who invented the rabies vaccine. He administered the first human rabies vaccine in 1885 to a nine-year-old boy who had been severely bitten by a rabid dog – and upon succeeding in saving his life, his work popularized, with hundreds flocking to receive his treatment. In tribute to his medical breakthrough, World Rabies Day focuses on eradicating the rabies virus altogether.
What is the “Zero by 30” Plan?
Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), WHO, OIE, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) formed a meticulous plan “Zero by 30”, revolving around the One Health approach to end human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030. This global partnership named “United Against Rabies” streamlines, coordinates, and supports global efforts unlike anything before.
How is Rabies Controlled in Sri Lanka?
The Zero By 30 plan acknowledges the Sri Lankan government’s existing, successful rabies elimination programs implemented in 1990–2014, which have declined human rabies cases by 85% through:
- National notification of human and animal rabies cases,
- Free PEP for bite victims,
- Mass dog vaccination and sterilization campaigns
Numerous non-profit organizations also spearhead regular Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (CNVR) programs, which largely contribute towards national rabies prevention and control.
Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara, Advisor to the Board of Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population, estimated a 3 million dog population by 2007. As of 2024, he estimated a decline to 2.1 million dog population in the country, out of which strays constitute only three percent. Although Sri Lanka still has a long way to go, these numbers certainly indicate gradual success. Through continuous population control and regular vaccination, Sri Lanka can certainly come out triumphant.
Join PetVet on September 28th and 29th to celebrate World Rabies Day and take a step towards rabies elimination!
