CDC - World Rabies Day

Raising Rabies Awareness

September 28 is World Rabies Day, a global health observance that seeks to raise awareness about rabies and enhance prevention and control efforts. Co-sponsored by CDC and the Alliance for Rabies Control (ARC) since 2007, World Rabies Day has been celebrated in countries throughout the world, including the U.S.

World Rabies Day is an excellent time to take steps that can help prevent and control rabies, such as vaccinating pets including dogs and cats and providing education on how to avoid the animals that typically transmit rabies: raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes.

Getting Communities Involved

Preventing and controlling rabies begins at the community level, where people can take the necessary steps to keep themselves, their family, and their pets free from rabies. Community health officials play an instrumental role in making sure people have the ability to take action and learn just how deadly rabies can be.

CDC has developed resources that can help public health officials in all states and communities plan World Rabies Day events and spread the word about the best ways to help make sure people and animals are not burdened by this deadly disease.

Visit this link to download materials that can help public health professionals plan for this year’s World Rabies Day.

CDC World Rabies Day Symposium

On September 28, CDC will celebrate World Rabies Day by hosting a symposium that will honor the life of Dr. George Martin Baer, a former head of the CDC Rabies Laboratory who has come to be known as the father of oral rabies vaccination.

The symposium will feature presentations from current members of CDC’s Rabies Team, who will discuss how the work of Dr. Baer has impacted current efforts to prevent and control rabies.

In celebration of World Rabies Day, CDC has made it easier for everyone to spread the word about staying rabies free.

For your website or social media page, buttons and badges are now available to share and let others know what you have done to help avoid rabies. You can also send Health e-Cards to friends and family so that they can get the facts on how to prevent rabies.