World Rabies Day is celebrated on 28th September every year. This day serves as a reminder to people and communities about how deadly rabies can be. If you're bitten by a dog or any other rabid animal, seek immediate medical attention.
Different types of injections are given to the patient based on the severity of the bite, vaccination history, and the patient's health status. On World Rabies Day, awareness is spread among communities to remind them how important it is to vaccinate their pets and seek the right medical care in case of an infection.
Why is World Rabies Day Celebrated?
World Health Organisation (WHO), GARC, and other international health agencies join hands to celebrate World Rabies Day. On this day, you can see social media posts on rabies, which will help you educate about this deadly, incurable disease. World Rabies Day is also a day for action. It serves as a crucial platform to “Promote Mass Dog Vaccination”.
As over 99% of human rabies deaths are caused by dog bites, the day highlights the most effective and cost-efficient strategy for prevention: vaccinating at least 70% of the dog population.
Rabies campaigns also push for better access to affordable and timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for people in all communities, especially in low-income countries where the disease burden is highest.
The celebration brings together veterinarians, doctors, public health officials, and animal welfare organisations to collaborate on coordinated strategies, recognising that the health of people and animals is interconnected.
World Rabies Day is not just about raising awareness; it is a global movement that unites partners and communities in a shared mission to eliminate human deaths from dog-mediated rabies and achieve the ambitious "Zero by 30" goal.
Why is World Rabies Day Important?
Dr. Louis Pasteur developed the first rabies vaccine in 1885. His contribution to medicine is especially remembered on World Rabies Day. This is also why GARC (Global Alliance for Rabies Control) changed the date in 2008 from 8th September to 28th September to honor Pasteur’s legacy.
The first vaccine was given to a 9-year-old boy named Joseph Meister, who was severely bitten by a rabid dog. Dr. Pasteur administered several doses of the vaccine, which ultimately saved the child’s life. This proved that with early detection and proper care, rabies can be prevented.
On World Rabies Day, healthcare workers, government bodies, schools, and hospitals come together to raise awareness because prevention is the only way to fight this deadly disease.
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What is the Theme of World Rabies Day 2025?
2025’s theme for World Rabies Day is “Act now: you, me, communities”. This year’s theme focuses on self-awareness and telling others how to prevent it. By spreading the word, you can debunk the myths and save lives.
- You: Here you are, as a responsible individual, you have to take action and educate yourself and others about Rabies. Get your pets vaccinated and ensure their monthly check-up is done. This reduces the risk of rabies within your four walls.
- Me: Now that you know how rabies spreads and how it can be prevented, the next step is to educate others. Once you're safe, make sure those around you also have the right information.
- Community: This is where our strength lies, in working together. Because it’s not an individual task. You, I, and all of us need to join hands to raise awareness and ensure proper care is followed if someone gets exposed. What’s needed now is unified action to help reach the global goal of "Zero by 30."
What is Rabies and How Does it Spread in Humans?
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. The virus is almost exclusively spread through direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal. This typically happens through a bite, which injects the virus into the body.
A person can also get rabies if a rabid animal’s saliva comes into contact with an open wound, a scratch, or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth. In over 99% of human cases, the transmission comes from a dog bite. Once symptoms appear, rabies is virtually 100% fatal, making immediate post-exposure treatment the only way to prevent death.
How Does Someone Get Infected With Rabies?
You can get infected with rabies when you are in direct contact with a rabid animal. It is not always that dogs spread rabies. Other animals can also infect you with rabies, such as bats, monkeys, cats, cows, horses, donkeys, etc.
If such an animal's saliva is on your body or they bite you and scratch you, then you should seek immediate care from a specialist. And even if you’re not bitten but living in an unsanitary place where there is a bat's cave or you’ve been camping in an infected zone, get yourself tested for the rabies virus and seek immediate care.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Rabies?
When you get bitten by a dog or come in contact with any rabid animal, you should visit the nearest internal medicine hospital and seek preventive care. However, if symptoms were to appear (and at that point, the disease is almost always fatal), they progress in stages. Learn how
Prodromal Stage
- Fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort.
- A tingling, prickling, itching, or burning sensation at the site of the bite.
- Muscle aches, nausea, or vomiting.
Acute Neurological Phase
- An extreme fear of water, where the person experiences painful and involuntary spasms of the throat when trying to drink or even when they hear or see water.
- Fear and painful reaction caused by a draft of air.
- Extremely restless, agitated, and lash out behaviour.
- Confusion, strange thoughts, and hallucinations.
- Excessive drooling and "foaming at the mouth" due to difficulty swallowing.
It is crucial to remember that once these symptoms appear, it is too late for a cure. The only way to survive a rabies exposure is to get post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) before any symptoms develop.
Early treatment saves lives. Get expert care for dog bites and rabies prevention.
How Artemis Hospital Supports Rabies Awareness and Care?
Artemis Hospital supports rabies awareness and care through its 24/7 Emergency & Trauma Centre, which is equipped to provide immediate and life-saving post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), including the rabies vaccine series and immune globulin.
Our hospital also contributes to public health education by publishing articles and blogs, often featuring expert advice from our doctors on rabies prevention. These resources provide clear, actionable information on how to prevent dog bites and what to do after an animal bite to avoid a fatal rabies infection, highlighting the critical importance of timely medical intervention.
To book an appointment with our specialist, call +91 9800400498.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why World Rabies Day is important for public health?
Spreading awareness on World Rabies Day is important because rabies is almost always fatal, yet 100% preventable. By educating people about pet vaccination and immediate medical care after a bite, you can reduce rabies cases.
In how many days do rabies symptoms appear in humans?
The rabies spread timeline can vary, from a few days to several years. It depends on where the animal bit you and how severe the wound is. If the bite is close to the brain, such as on the face, symptoms can appear more quickly.
Within how many days should the rabies vaccine be taken?
For an unvaccinated person, you should start the rabies vaccine as soon as possible after a bite, ideally, on the same day. There is no "too late" as long as symptoms have not appeared, but the sooner you start, the more effective it is at preventing the deadly disease.
Why is rabies considered a fatal disease?
Rabies is a deadly disease because it's a viral infection. This virus causes severe inflammation, leading to a host of neurological symptoms like confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and paralysis. Typically, within a few days of symptoms appearing, the disease progresses and causes death.
What are the advanced-stage symptoms of rabies?
The advanced symptoms include fear of water, agitation, aggressive behaviour, and lashing out. In rare cases, the patient may see paralysis progressing from the site of the bite.
Can rabies be cured once symptoms develop?
Rabies cannot be cured once symptoms appear. That’s because, by then, the virus has already attacked the nervous system, and treatment is no longer effective.
What should I do immediately after a dog or animal bite?
If you get bitten by a rabid animal or a stray dog, first clean the wound with soap and water. In case of bleeding, stop the bleeding using alcohol based antiseptic, then cover the wound and visit the nearest hospital.
Which hospital near me provides rabies treatment?
If you’re in Gurgaon, visit Artemis Hospital’s Emergency & Trauma Centre immediately. Our Infectious Disease specialists provide urgent care for animal bites, helping prevent the spread of the rabies virus effectively
How can I find an emergency care centre for rabies near me?
Artemis Hospital in Gurgaon has 24/7 emergency care with round-the-clock ambulance service. We provide comprehensive care to the patient and are equipped to handle animal bites and administer life-saving post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies.
Can I find 24/7 emergency care for rabies at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon?
Yes, our emergency centre is supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic and monitoring equipment, and the emergency team works in close coordination with other specialised departments within the hospital, such as neurology, cardiology, and orthopaedics, to ensure a seamless transition of care for patients.
