ONE HEALTH AND ANIMAL CONTROL: A WINNING

Every year on September 28, the world comes together to raise awareness and take action towards eliminating rabies. This day also commemorates the anniversary of Louis Pasteur's death, the renowned French scientist who pioneered the first rabies vaccine. Rabies is a deadly viral disease caused by the rabies virus, affecting over 150 countries and territories worldwide. It results in significant human suffering, with estimated annual losses of 1.6 to 10.4 million disability-adjusted life years and $2.9 to $21.5 billion in economic costs. While pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis are effective in preventing human deaths from rabies, they do not provide a clear solution for eliminating the disease in animal reservoirs, particularly in dogs. A more comprehensive approach is needed to tackle the root causes of rabies transmission and ultimately achieve a rabies-free world.