Defeating Rabies
Step by step & dose by dose with the AFYA Program.
It would be easy to think rabies is no longer a problem, having been successfully eliminated in most parts of the world. In the 21st century however, it still remains a significant problem in parts of Asia, India and Africa with 59,000 people a year (many of them children) dying from this preventable disease1.
In 99% of cases, infections arise from dog bites1. With highly effective canine vaccines available, eliminating the disease from daily life is an achievable goal. There is a global effort to defeat rabies lead by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and MSD Animal Health is part of this through the Afya programme. Read on to find out how we are working to eliminate this preventable disease.
Why is Rabies still a concern?
In many parts of the world domestic dogs form a reservoir of disease and can then pass on rabies to people through bites, cuts and scratches. In many parts of Africa and Asia, the disease still presents a significant threat to life, with children often amongst the most vulnerable due to their interactions and proximity with the domestic dog population.
How do we solve the Rabies problem?
Unfortunately, once signs and symptoms of rabies are evident, it is invariably fatal. Eliminating rabies at the source, by vaccinating the domestic dog population, is the most effective way of controlling rabies.
Join the fight against Rabies
The Afya program works with key organisations such as Mission Rabies, and Rabies Free Africa to provide free doses of vaccine for the most at-risk populations. Find out more about this, the global Zero by 30 WHO commitment2, and how you can help from your own clinic.
References
1) "Rabies Fact Sheet". World Health Organization. February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2022. - http://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies
2) "United against rabies forum: Zero by 30: One Health in action". World Health Organization. March 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2022. - http://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies