World Rabies Day 2024

• 30 Sep 2024

Source: TH 

Why in News?

The World Rabies Day is observed annually on September 28 to promote reflection on past misconceptions surrounding this fatal disease, while also highlighting the continued efforts to advance vaccines and modern strategies for rabies prevention and control. 

What is Rabies? 

• About: 
  • It is a viral, vaccine-preventable zoonotic disease. 
  • It is caused by a Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) virus that is present in the saliva of a rabid animal (dog, cat, monkey, etc). 
  • It is primarily transmitted to humans through bites from infected dogs, and despite being entirely preventable with timely vaccinations. 
  • Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is virtually 100% fatal. The death invariably occurs in four days to two weeks due to cardio-respiratory failure. 
    • The incubation period varies from 2–3 months but may vary from 1 week to 1 year, or rarely even more. 
• Symptoms: The first symptoms of rabies may be similar to flu and may last for a few days. 
  • Symptoms included: Fever, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Anxiety, Hyperactivity, Difficulty swallowing, Excessive salivation, Hallucinations (illusions), Insomnia (sleep disorder).

What do we Need to Know About World Rabies Day (WRD)? 

• About:  
  • It was first launched in 2007. It marks the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur, who developed the first rabies vaccine. 
    • Louis Pasteur was a French chemist, pharmacist, and microbiologist renowned for his discoveries of the principles of vaccination, microbial fermentation, and pasteurisation. 
  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) has set an ambitious goal to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030. 
• Theme:  
  • The theme for WRD 2024 is 'Breaking Rabies Boundaries'.  
  • It emphasises the One Health approach, which stresses the importance of collaboration between human health, animal health, and environmental sectors.

What are Facts About Rabies in India? 

• Rabies in India:  
  • In 2021, rabies in India accounted for 59,000 deaths, constituting 35% of the global total, with 96% of these cases stemming from dog bites. 
  • The economic burden of dog-mediated rabies in India was estimated at USD 8.6 billion. 
  • Newer rabies immunoglobulin (Rabies Ig) vaccines are used for rabies prevention. 
• India's National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE): 
  • Unveiled in 2023 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying to eliminate rabies by 2030. It includes:  
    • Awareness: Building awareness about rabies.  
    • Surveillance: Strengthening surveillance and health systems.  
    • Vaccination: Prophylactic vaccination for humans and dogs.  
    • Dog population management 
    • Real-time monitoring of rabies vaccine stocks and tracking of beneficiaries.  

India’s Initiatives for Cure Against Rabies 

• National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) 
• Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme 
• One Health Approach  
• Collaboration WHO and OIE to strengthen rabies control measures and adopt international best practices.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Q. Consider the following diseases: (2014)

1. Diphtheria
2. Chickenpox
3. Smallpox

Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?

(a) 1 and 2 only  

(b) 3 only 

(c) 1, 2 and 3 

(d) None 

Ans: (b)

Q. With reference to recent developments regarding ‘Recombinant Vector Vaccines’, consider the following statements: (2021)

1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines.
2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only  

(b) 2 only 

(c) Both 1 and 2  

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Ans: (c)