In an effort to educate and eliminate a deadly disease, the first-ever World Rabies Day will be recognized Sept. 8, 2007, in the United States and in several other countries around the world, including India, Nigeria, Brazil, Germany, Haiti and Mexico.
“Human rabies can be prevented, canine rabies can be eliminated and wildlife rabies can be controlled,” said Chief Rabies Officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dr. Charles E. Rupprecht. “People have no idea that people are dying in the developing world because they have no vaccine. Some developing countries have substandard vaccines, and others don’t have anything at all.”
Dozens of activities are scheduled throughout the United States in recognition of World Rabies Day, including a presentation at the CDC Headquarters in Atlanta, a free rabies vaccination clinic for animals in Gilbert, Ariz., a competitive “Run for Rabies” in Davis, Calif., and a concert to benefit the Alliance for Rabies Control in Baton Rouge, La.
Any mammal can become infected with rabies, according to the CDC, and the organization offers several tips to protect cats from infection.
- Ensure vaccinations are kept up-to-date.
- Keep cats indoors.
- Call Animal Control to report stray animals, because they may be sick or unvaccinated.
For more information on World Rabies Day events and locations, log on to the event’s website.