Hanoi, Viet Nam. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), on World Rabies Day 2021, renew its call to action from all sectors towards the global elimination of human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ring a global alarm to be better prepared and better control infectious diseases. During the past one and half years, the world has rapidly responded to COVID-19 pandemic and has been introducing innovations to curb its spread, including vaccination. In contrast, rabies, despite being recognized as an infectious disease for more than a thousand years, and kills people including children here in Viet Nam, still lacks enough attention to control its spread and impact. 

This year’s theme, Rabies: Facts not Fear, aims to increase public understanding of rabies, and reduce fear about the disease by providing accurate information. The focus is on the Facts about the dangers of rabies and how to prevent it; and not spreading Fear about the disease by relying on misinformation and myths. Everyone is invited to play a role in fighting the spread of rabies, which, like fighting COVID-19, begins with understanding the facts and not taking part in spreading fear through misinformation.

According to the National Program on the Control and Elimination of Rabies, in the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), a total of 40 people have died from rabies in 22 provinces in Viet Nam since the beginning of 2021. Despite the significantly decreased number of rabies deaths in some provinces, the total number of human rabies deaths from 2017 to 2021 increased in 20 provinces compared to the period from 2011 to 2016. This is worrisome as rabies has been reported from provinces where no cases were reported previously.

Death from rabies is totally preventable.  On the occasion of the World Rabies Day, FAO and WHO urge the Government of Viet Nam at all levels to prioritize and increase resources for the management of dog populations, the vaccination of dogs, and provision of post-exposure prophylaxis for those bitten by dogs. Together, we can: 1) raise public awareness about the disease, especially the importance of vaccinating animals, in particular dogs, and those humans who have been bitten by dogs; 2) increase availability, accessibility, and affordability (3 ‘As’) of both animal and human vaccines; and 3) advocate for a high-level commitment to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

“While effective animal and human rabies vaccines serve as important tools to prevent human deaths from rabies, awareness is the key driver for the success of community engagement in rabies prevention and control efforts”, said Dr. Kidong Park, WHO Representative in Viet Nam. “WHO will continue to raise awareness and support Viet Nam in rabies elimination programs and we would like to call for local, national and international partners to join our efforts to increase rabies vaccination coverage and bring an end to human deaths from dog-mediated rabies in Viet Nam.”

“Dog vaccination is the most cost-effective single intervention to protect humans from contracting rabies. High quality vaccines are available. Vaccine coverage needs to reach at least 70% of the canine population to break transmission from dogs to humans. Safe, effective human vaccines are also available as pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis vaccines. FAO reaffirms our support to the Government of Viet Nam in developing essential policies and mechanisms to eliminate human death from dog-mediated rabies”, added Rana Flowers, FAO Representative ad interim in Viet Nam.

In Viet Nam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Health, in collaboration with One Health partners strongly promote the introduction of efforts to enhance public communication; to improve dog management and vaccination; and to ensure that everyone bitten by dogs is immediately vaccinated. The two Ministries will continue to work together, to implement the third National Rabies Control Program for the period from 2022 to 2030, with the ultimate goal to eliminate human death from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. 

Rabies is a viral disease that infects the central nervous system and ultimately leads to the death of people and animals. This disease can be prevented and managed. With the steps identified, the spread of rabies can be dramatically reduced, preventing the more than 60,000 deaths of people that occur each year. Sadly, and completely preventable, is the fact that of every 10 people who have been bitten by suspected rabid animals four of them are children under the age of 15. Those most at risk live in rural areas, vulnerable populations where human vaccines and immunoglobulins are not currently easily accessible.  This must change.

Together, we can achieve “Zero by 2030".
 
World Rabies Day

World Rabies Day was created to raise awareness and advocate for rabies elimination globally and is designed to unite all people, organizations, and stakeholders against rabies.

World Rabies Day is held every year on September 28. This date was chosen as it is the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur – the first person to successfully create a vaccine against rabies.

Collaboration is critical for success and everyone is encouraged to take part. The only way that we can eliminate rabies and end the needless suffering is by working together and uniting towards a common goal – the goal of Zero by 30.

For more information, please contact:

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Pawin Padungtod
Senior Technical Coordinator
Tel: 84-24-3202-0019
Email: [email protected]

World Health Organization (WHO)
Tran Thi Loan
Communications Assistant
Tel: 84-24-38500100
Email: [email protected]