The largest rabies-related event on the calendar, World Rabies Day is organised by GARC and has been observed annually on September 28 - Louis Pasteur's birthday - since 2007. World Rabies Day strives to promote rabies eradication globally and increase public knowledge of the disease. It is an event that aims to be inclusive, bringing together stakeholders from various sectors to fight rabies because, working together, we can eradicate rabies! This year's World Rabies Day is being observed with the following theme in mind: Rabies: One Health, Zero Deaths

The sixteenth annual World Rabies Day will take place on September 28. The connection between the environment and both people and animals will be highlighted through this year's theme, "Rabies: One Health, Zero Deaths."

SINGLE HEALTH 

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the obvious weaknesses of the health systems, but it also showed what can be accomplished when different sectors work together.

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The institutions and trust that support rabies control programmes are vital for other zoonotic illnesses, particularly those that are susceptible to pandemics. Rabies control programmes provide a perfect example of One Health implementation.

ZERO DEATHS

To end the cycle of one of the oldest diseases, the world possesses the vaccines, drugs, equipment, and technologies necessary. The ambitious document Zero by 30: Global Strategic Plan for the elimination of human rabies deaths caused by dogs by 2030 has attainable goals. It is in line with the new NTD road map, which places an emphasis on integrated interventions and the NTD programme mainstreaming throughout national health systems.

The integrated strategies promoted by the Global Strategic Plan for Rabies and the Road Map are pertinent because they highlight the value of cooperating effectively in the face of multiple obstacles, such as those encountered during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

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Therefore, it is essential to collaborate with stakeholders, advocates, and individuals at the community, municipal, national, and international levels in order to rebuild and expand health systems and rabies control programmes. It is possible to eradicate rabies by working together, uniting forces, engaging communities, and committing to ongoing dog vaccination.

Even though rabies is a completely avoidable disease, it still claims the lives of about 60,000 individuals annually. On the occasion of World Rabies Day, we have the chance to consider the steps we have taken to combat this deadly disease and to remind ourselves that there is still work to be done. The World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are collaborating to end human rabies deaths brought on by dogs by 2030.

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Every year, we choose a theme that, in our opinion, is most pertinent to the current state of rabies, worldwide trends, and health in general. As a result, this year's theme will emphasise One Health along with a reminder of the "Zero by 30" aim and the reality that it is feasible to eradicate human rabies caused by dogs. By highlighting and reminding the world community that rabies elimination is achievable, that we have a target (Zero by 30), and that we stand united against this awful disease, we purposely designed a theme with a positive message.

After the worst of the COVID epidemic, all the fear-mongering and pessimistic headlines, and the unfavourable public reactions to COVID vaccination requirements, this upbeat message hopes to be a welcome change of pace. Importantly for rabies, we have a robust global community, the knowledge and resources, and a goal for the abolition of human rabies deaths caused by dogs. Therefore, the emphasis of the message is on working together to bring about good change and accomplish what we know is feasible: rabies eradication.