WORLD RABIES DAY: SEPTEMBER 28, 2010
The Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, and the Alliance for Rabies Control are just a few organizations around the world that have united in an effort to create awareness and raise funds to educate and vaccinate globally.
DID YOU KNOW THAT. . .
- On an international scale, rabies kills 100 children every day?
- Approximately 50,000 people in Asia and Africa die annually?
- A person dies of rabies almost every 10 minutes?
- An estimated 10 million people are exposed to rabies nationally every year?
- Rabies results in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of animals?
- Rabies is a preventable disease?
Rabies is a viral disease that can be transmitted to both animals and people, usually from the bite of an animal infected with the disease. Once neurological symptoms of the disease develop, rabies is fatal to both animals and people. Treatment is available for people after exposure to a rabid animal if treatment is sought quickly enough.
The most common way an animal can get rabies is from exposure (to blood, saliva, or urine) from wild, infected animals. However, even if your pets stay indoors, you should be aware that there is always the possibility of escape, whether by accident or disaster, and there have also been cases of pets who were exposed when a rabid animal wandered into the home (i.e., a bat or raccoon entering from the chimney). Your pet is more likely to protect his territory and attack such an animal. The best way to prevent this disease is to have your dogs and cats vaccinated. If you wish to donate funds to this cause, the Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital is collecting funds or you can donate directly to www.worldrabiesday.org. Together we can make rabies history.