World Rabies Day: 8 facts about rabies everyone should know

Every year on the 28th of September, World Rabies Day aims to raise awareness and advocate for the global elimination of rabies. The date honours, Louis Pasteur, who produced the first anti-rabies vaccine in 1885. Despite an effective vaccine being developed all these years ago, rabies still causes unimaginable suffering for both people and animals globally.

In 2013, after witnessing the devasting effects that rabies had on both people and animals, Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) CEO and founder, Dr Luke Gamble launched Mission Rabies. Since then, we have been working to end this cruel disease. Crucially, our programmes are working; human rabies deaths are down in our project areas and Goa was declared a ‘Rabies Controlled Area’ in 2021.

Keep reading to discover important facts about rabies that everyone should be aware of this World Rabies Day.

Myth: Rabies is an ancient disease that has been eliminated.

Fact: Rabies still remains in much of the world.

Rabies most often persists in poor communities - as dying from rabies becomes more likely as the Human Development Index of a country decrease. The highest number of cases comes from Asia and Africa. Rabies deaths are massively underreported and systematically ignored, because they disproportionately affect the most disadvantaged, vulnerable, and isolated members of society. Rabies kills approximately 59,000 people globally every year, with the figure expected to be higher. The lack of accurate reporting on rabies cases and deaths leads to a cycle of neglect, where people are not aware of the rabies problem.

Myth: Only animals can be infected by rabies.

Fact: Any mammal, including humans, can be infected by rabies.

The vicious zoonotic disease can infect and kill any mammal. It circulates between ‘reservoir’ species, depending on which country – for Asia and Africa, it’s mainly dogs. Globally, 99% of all human rabies deaths are caused by an infected dog bite. Unfortunately, as rabies is a disease that spreads from dogs to people, it leads to fear, inhumane culls, and the mistreatment of dogs.

Myth: The rabies virus is only transmitted through bites.

Fact: The rabies virus is transmitted through saliva.

Although most rabies cases are from a dog bite, the rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. This means any contact between infected saliva and broken skin or eye can pass on infection.

Myth: Rabies symptoms will show immediately.

Fact: Rabies symptoms could take weeks or even months to show.

There is an incubation period, in which the virus travels to the brain. How long symptoms take to show depends on the distance the virus must travel to the brain. Rabies is usually fatal once symptoms begin to show. This is why it is vital to always consult a doctor after a potential exposure to receive treatment.

Myth: Vaccinating humans against rabies is the only way to end rabies.

Fact: Whole communities can be protected through canine vaccination.

In many rabies hotspots, rabies vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are often not easily accessible, are unaffordable for most people, and they only protect one person. While these play a vital part in the elimination of death from rabies, it is not enough to protect communities against rabies in its own right. By addressing the source of the problem: canine rabies, we can stop rabies spreading to people, keeping both people and animals safe.

Myth: Rabies could be ended by killing dogs.

Fact: Killing dogs has been scientifically proven to have no effect on rabies transmission or overall population.

New dogs quickly move into these areas to take advantage of increased food resources and territory. A healthy, vaccinated street dog population is the best protection for people from rabies. When communities know that dogs are vaccinated and are safe to be around, it reduces the fear and leads to the improved treatment of dogs.

Myth: There is nothing to do to protect yourself from rabies after an exposure.

Fact: Immediate treatment can prevent the disease.

Rabies is preventable if treatment is given after a potential exposure. It is vital to receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as soon as possible after an exposure, as well as immediately washing the wound with soap and running water for 15 minutes, which can significantly reduce the risk of infection. These steps are crucial as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms have developed. Discover more on steps for staying safe.

Myth: The most common form of rabies in dogs is furious.

Fact: Paralytic rabies is the most common form of the disease in dogs.

The furious form (showing symptoms such as uncontrollable aggression and restlessness) is closet to our stereotypical view of rabies, but both paralytic and furious form of rabies shows up in dogs. The most prevalent form in dogs is paralytic where dogs display symptoms such as increasing muscle weakness, lethargy, a lack of coordination and gradual paralysis. Find out more about the symptoms of rabies.

How we are working to end rabies

Rabies is an entirely preventable disease through large-scale action. By vaccinating 70% of any given canine population, we can build herd immunity, break the transmission cycle, and stop the disease in its tracks. We return to the same areas annually to administer free rabies vaccinations to control rabies outbreaks in these areas, protecting dogs and people.

Our education sessions are empowering children, their teachers and families with the knowledge on how to safely interact with dogs, avoid bites and prevent rabies. If the risks are widely understood and appropriate dog bite treatment is well known – rabies is 100% preventable.

Our Integrated Bite Case Management (IBCM) team are always ready to respond to bite cases, advising people on the crucial first aid steps and where people can go to receive PEP. We also quarantine and test suspect rabid animals and conduct emergency vaccination campaigns.

Through vaccination, education and surveillance we are creating healthier and happier communities.