2010 World Rabies Day – Combating Rabies in Animals
In the hopes of completely eradicating rabies, the world is observing the 2010 World Rabies Day on the 28th of September. Co-sponsored by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Alliance for Rabies Control (ARC), the event highlights the impact of human and animal rabies. It promotes effective way of preventing and stopping the disease in animals.
Rabies is believed to have been killing people and livestock since 2000 B.C., and despite technological as well as medical advances, rabies is still a threat. Some developed lands have successfully curbed cases of rabies infection, but others still struggle and many still die from it in other countries. In fact, more than 55,000 people die from rabies every year, and an average of 1 in every 10 minutes. More than 95% of deaths occur in Asia and Africa.
Most countries that are participating in the event will hold rabies awareness and vaccination campaigns. In places where poverty affects access to anti-rabies vaccines, medical experts in lab coats, government health officials, and other concerned organizations will continue with educating the public of the effects of the disease to a human and the community in general.