Rabies: Facts, not Fear
Since 2007, every year on 28 September, World Rabies Day (WRD) is being observed around the world to bring the focus back on rabies – a neglected but deadly zoonotic disease. Although a 100% vaccine-preventable disease, rabies still kills tens of thousands of humans and animals, worldwide. The OIE has been actively involved in addressing this zoonotic disease by providing latest scientific information related to the prevention and control of rabies in animals and by implementing several activities in the Asia Pacific Region.
Tripartite webinar on rabies
This year, for the 15th World Rabies Day, the Regional Tripartite, consisting of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok; OIE Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific, Tokyo; OIE Sub-Regional Representation for South East Asia, Bangkok; WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, New Delhi; and WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, Manila jointly organized a webinar on 28 September 2021. The focus of this year’s webinar was on sharing facts and experiences related to implementing national action plans, surveillance and strategic dog vaccination, and prevention of rabies in human. Besides presentations about good practices for each of the themes, panel discussions were held involving country representatives and experts that highlighted the key issues, challenges and opportunities for rabies control in the Asia Pacific Region. The webinar was a success with more than 130 participants on Zoom ® and more than 70 viewers on YouTube® livestreaming.
The theme for the 15th WRD was “Rabies: Facts, Not Fear” and it called upon all stakeholders to take actions to understand the disease situation and provide facts about rabies to take appropriate actions. The theme also reiterated the need to use facts to raise awareness and educate people about rabies – a 99% fatal, yet 100% vaccine preventable disease.
Details of the event including the presentations can be accessed in the agenda here. You can also view the YouTube® recordings here.
Other events during WRD 2021
The OIE also encourages Members to organise events, as much as possible, either physically or virtually, depending on your local COVID-19 situation and following COVID-19 protocols. There are several resources that Members could access and use as shown in links below. Some of the materials are shown at the bottom of this page.
Countries are encouraged to share their World Rabies Day activities on social media using #Rabiesendshere, @WOAH and @WOAH_Asia.
