World Rabies Day

World Rabies Day History

World Rabies Day is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about the impact of rabies on public health and animal welfare while prompting action to eliminate this preventable viral disease. The observance emphasizes the importance of rabies prevention and control, including pet vaccination, responsible pet ownership, and dog bite prevention. This day highlights the significance of collaboration among relevant stakeholders, such as humans, animals, and the environment, to achieve the goal of "zero human rabies deaths by 2030."

The inception of World Rabies Day can be traced back to 2007, when the Global Alliance for Rabies Control and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) co-created the event. While rabies cases in Canada have significantly decreased, it remains an ongoing public health concern with periodic outbreaks among wildlife populations. Rural areas and areas with abundant wildlife, such as raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes, pose a higher risk of exposure to the disease. Canadians need to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing and controlling the spread of rabies.

In observance of World Rabies Day in Canada, various events and programs are organized nationwide, including vaccination clinics, information sessions, and public awareness campaigns. These initiatives aim to educate Canadians on the importance of pet vaccination, responsible pet ownership, and the reporting of potential exposure incidents. Canadians are encouraged to participate in these events and support the global movement to eradicate rabies. World Rabies Day falls on September 28 each year, the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur, a pioneer in developing the first successful rabies vaccine.

World Rabies Day facts

• The theme for World Rabies Day in 2025 was Let's #EndRabiesTogether. In 2024 the theme was Breaking Rabies Boundaries.
• Common rabies carriers include; raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes.
• Dog bites are the main source of human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99% of all rabies transmissions to humans.
• In Canada, the species most commonly known to carry and transmit rabies are bats, foxes, raccoons, and skunks.
• The first recorded case of human rabies in Canada occurred in 1931. Since then, there have been fewer than 30 reported cases. The last human rabies case in Canada occurred in 2012 when a person was bitten by an infected bat.

In the News and Trending in Canada for World Rabies Day

Top things to do in Canada for World Rabies Day

• Make sure pet's vaccines are up to date.
• Familiarize yourself with the public health guidelines related to rabies in Canada. Learn about vaccination programs, pet safety, prevention measures, and what to do in case of potential exposure.
• Explore interactive maps, like those provided by the government or research institutions, that showcase incidents and cases of rabies in various regions of Canada. This can help you understand the geographical distribution of the disease.