World Rabies Day 2025: Significance, Symptoms & Prevention

Manswi Panchbhai

What is World Rabies Day?

Observed on September 28, it raises awareness about rabies prevention and control. The 2025 theme highlights global collaboration to eliminate rabies deaths.

Rabies in Numbers

Rabies kills nearly 59,000 people worldwide every year, mostly in Asia and Africa. India alone accounts for over one-third of global deaths.

Signs & Symptoms

Early symptoms include fever, headache, and tingling near the bite. Later, patients develop anxiety, hydrophobia, paralysis, and eventually fatal brain inflammation.

How it Spreads

Rabies is transmitted through bites, scratches, or saliva of infected animals. Dogs are the primary carriers in India.

Vaccination

Timely vaccination of dogs and humans is the most effective way to stop rabies. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) saves lives if given promptly.

What To Do After an Animal Bite

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes. Seek immediate medical care and start rabies vaccination without delay.

India’s Fight Against Rabies

India has pledged to eliminate rabies deaths by 2030. Mass dog vaccination, awareness drives, and improved healthcare access are key strategies.

Myths vs Facts

Rabies does not spread by casual touch or sharing food. It spreads only through infected saliva via bites or scratches.

Role of Communities

Local awareness, responsible pet ownership, and stray dog vaccination are crucial. Collective action can help make rabies a disease of the past.

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