World Rabies Day 2025: Educate, Vaccinate, Eliminate

Every year, 28 September is observed as World Rabies Day. This global health day reminds us that rabies is still a fatal disease but also a vaccine-preventable disease. 

In India, more than one in three rabies deaths in the world happen here. That accounts for about 35-36% of human rabies deaths worldwide. Most cases come from dog bites. This is why every family needs to know about rabies and get timely vaccination after any bite or scratch.

At PSRI Hospital, a multispeciality hospital in Delhi, our experts explain what this means, why it matters and what you should do to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Understanding Rabies – A Fatal Yet Preventable Zoonotic Disease

• Rabies is a zoonotic disease caused by the rabies virus.
• It spreads mainly through animal bites and scratches. In India, dog-mediated rabies is the most common cause.
• The disease can also spread through saliva of infected domestic animals or wildlife.
• Human rabies shows symptoms like fever, confusion, drooling, paralysis and unusual animal behavior if observed in pets.
• Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.

The good news is that rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease. Since the time of Louis Pasteur, who developed the first rabies vaccine, science has made it possible to stop this infection if treated early. At PSRI Hospital, known as the best hospital in Delhi, we ensure that this protection is available round the clock, with vaccines stored safely and given under expert care.

World Rabies Day 2025 – Theme, Goals and Why It Matters

The theme for 2025 is clear: Educate, Vaccinate, Eliminate.

• Global health groups like WHO, FAO, OIE, CDC and GARC lead this effort together.
• The shared global vision is “Zero by 30” – zero human deaths from dog rabies by 2030.
• This elimination program needs both public health systems and local community action.
• In India the government runs a national program that focuses on:
  • Free dog vaccination drives.
  • Access to human rabies vaccines.
  • Regular reporting and surveillance of rabies cases.

This approach is called One Health, which means doctors, vets and environmental experts all work together to control the disease.

For Delhi residents, this matters even more. The city has a large number of community dogs, frequent pet vaccination needs and many families exposed to animal contact daily.

What Everyone Must Know to Prevent Rabies

Education is the first step to Rabies prevention. Here are the key points:

• Wash the wound right away – Clean any bite or scratch with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes. Apply antiseptic.
• Go to the hospital immediately – Do not delay. A doctor will guide you on the right vaccine schedule.
• Start vaccination without waiting – Rabies vaccines protect you if given on time. They are safe and effective.
• Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) for severe bites – If the wound is deep or near the head or neck, doctors may also give RIG along with the vaccine.
• Do not try home remedies – Turmeric, chili, oils or other household items will not stop rabies. Only medical care works.
• Vaccinate pets regularly – Dogs, cats and other pets need their yearly rabies shots. This protects both them and your family.
• Support community vaccination drives – Getting community dogs vaccinated helps reduce the spread of rabies in your area.
• Teach and protect children – Children must be taught not to play roughly with dogs, not to tease animals and to report any scratch or bite immediately.
• Booster doses for high-risk people – Vets, animal handlers and frequent travellers should take pre-exposure vaccines and boosters as advised by doctors.
• Stay informed – Fact sheets, posters, social media campaigns and community engagement workshops are key tools to correct information and save lives.

At PSRI Hospital, we guide patients step by step from first aid to safe vaccination so no time is lost in protecting against rabies.

Here are The Proven Shield Against Rabies

Rabies prevention relies on two types of vaccination:

1. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP):
   • Needed immediately after animal bites.
   • Involves wound care, a series of vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin if needed.
   • Works only if started early.
2. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP):
   • For people at higher risk like veterinarians, animal handlers or children living in areas with many stray dogs.
   • Includes a set of vaccines with booster doses as advised.

Animal Vaccination is Equally Important:

• Pet vaccination ensures your pets do not spread the virus.
• Dog vaccines and animal vaccines protect both domestic pets and community dogs.
• Mass vaccination improves vaccine coverage and creates herd immunity.
• Cold chain storage ensures vaccine safety.
• Addressing vaccine hesitancy increases vaccination rate and vaccination efficacy.

At PSRI Hospital, vaccines are kept under strict cold chain protocols. Our experts ensure safe immunization for all patients.

How We Reach Zero Human Deaths by 2030

• Elimination vs Eradication: Elimination means zero human deaths, eradication means no virus left. We aim for elimination by 2030.
• Control Measures: Regular monitoring, reporting, surveillance and outbreak response.
• Collaborative Action: Involves governments, NGOs, hospitals and communities.
• Integrated Approach: Combines data collection, intervention and cross-sectoral partnerships.
• Global Strategy: Follows the Blueprint for Rabies Prevention.

PSRI Hospital supports this effort through training health workers, engaging with communities and running awareness events.

Why Choose PSRI Hospital in Delhi for Rabies Care

If you or your child face an animal bite, time is critical. At PSRI, we ensure:

• 24×7 emergency care, including ventilator-supported beds for critically ill patients.
• Ready supply of rabies vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin.
• Trained doctors across infectious rabies disease, pediatrics and internal medicine.
• Adherence to vaccine safety, cold chain and booster dose schedules.
• We are accredited by NABH & NABL which means our hospital and lab services meet strict quality & safety standards.
• We provide a 24-hour blood bank, diagnostic scans, radiology and pharmacy services under one roof.
• Support for insurance and TPA claims.
•  Our international patient desk helps visitors with filling forms, insurance claims, language assistance and follow-up care.

This makes PSRI a trusted super speciality hospital in Delhi for rabies prevention and care. The faster you reach us, the safer you are.

Educate, Vaccinate, Eliminate – The Way Forward with PSRI Hospital

Rabies is preventable. Awareness, timely vaccination and community action are the keys to zero deaths.

At PSRI Hospital, we combine medical expertise with public health leadership. As the best hospital in Delhi, we promise doctor-approved, immediate and safe care for anyone exposed to rabies risk.

On this World Rabies Day 2025, let’s commit to educate, vaccinate and eliminate rabies together. Visit PSRI now for rabies vaccination and care.

FAQs

Q1. Why is World Rabies Day celebrated?
Ans. To raise global awareness, improve health education and support the goal of eliminating human rabies deaths.

Q2. Can rabies be cured once symptoms start?
Ans. No. Rabies is a fatal disease once symptoms appear. Prevention through vaccination is the only protection.

Q3. Can I skip treatment if the dog looks healthy?
Ans. No. Even a healthy-looking dog can carry rabies. Always start treatment after a bite or scratch.

Q4. Do I need vaccines again if I was vaccinated before?
Ans. Yes. You may need booster doses. A doctor will decide how many, but you must still visit the hospital.

Q5. Is the rabies vaccine safe for children or pregnant women?
Ans. Yes. Modern rabies vaccines are safe for all age groups, including kids and pregnant women.

Q6. How long does the vaccine protect me?
Ans. It depends. Some people need boosters, especially if they work with animals or live around stray dogs.

Q7. Can other animals spread rabies too?
Ans. Yes. Cats, monkeys, bats and some other animals can also spread rabies, not just dogs.