One Health

World Rabies Day

World Rabies Day is an annual observance held on 28 September to raise awareness about rabies and its prevention.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans through bites or scratches. The virus attacks the nervous system and can cause death if not treated. There is no cure for rabies once symptoms appear, but it is preventable. The best way to prevent rabies is to get vaccinated against the disease. Vaccination is also important for pets, as they can transmit the virus to humans.

World Rabies Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about rabies and its prevention. It is also a day to call for action to eliminate rabies as a public health threat.

The theme for World Rabies Day 2025 is: Act Now: You, Me Community which invites us to take individual and collective steps to stop the spread of dog-mediated rabies.

This theme highlights the importance of the One Health approach to rabies prevention and control. The One Health approach recognizes that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are interconnected. By working together, we can eliminate rabies as a public health threat.

⦿ Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease which occurs in more than 150 countries and territories.

⦿ Rabies kills an estimated 59,000 people each year, mostly in Africa and Asia. Most of these deaths are children.

⦿ Rabies causes an estimated cost of USD 8.6 billion per year globally.

Find out more

In depth

One Health approach to rabies

FAO supports member countries in their efforts to prevent and control rabies through a One Health approach.

Case studies

Rabies prevention and control case studies

Examples of FAO’s activities to support member countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East to tackle the risk of rabies through a One Health approach.

Video

What is rabies?

Dr Patrick Ngou, paediatrician, speaks with Dr Sandrine Kenne, a veterinary doctor, to raise awareness about the different aspects of this very deadly disease.