Towards zero rabies: a shared responsibility, a shared future

Rabies is one of the oldest and deadliest diseases known to humankind, yet it is also one of the most preventable. Every year, thousands of people lose their lives to rabies, and sadly, most of them are children who are bitten by infected dogs. India carries the world's highest burden, reporting nearly 20,000 human deaths annually. What makes rabies even more tragic is that it is 100% preventable with timely vaccination of dogs and proper treatment after an animal bite. Still, lack of awareness, delay in treatment, and poor coordination between human and animal health services allow the disease to persist.