Every septiembre 28, World Rabies Day (WRD) is celebrated, Established by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), the day aims to raise awareness about rabies prevention and promote coordinated action toward its elimination.

Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease that causes the deaths of thousands of people every year. However, it is 100 % preventable through animal vaccination, epidemiological surveillance, timely access to post-exposure prophylaxis, and the commitment of all sectors involved, including communities and society as a whole.

In the Americas, countries have made historic progress toward the elimination of dog-mediated rabies through decades of joint efforts. However, challenges remain, making it essential to maintain and strengthen surveillance, prevention, and control measures under the One Health approach.

World Rabies Day provides an opportunity to renew the commitment of governments, health and veterinary professionals, international organizations, academia, civil society, and communities to ensure that no one dies from a preventable disease.

The date was chosen in tribute to Louis Pasteur, the French scientist who developed the first effective rabies vaccine. His legacy continues to inspire efforts to eliminate the disease and protect the health of both people and animals.

World Rabies Day

28 | September

🐾 Progress Toward the Elimination of Dog-Mediated Rabies in the Americas

In the Region of the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), through the Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA/VPH-PAHO/WHO), leads the coordination of the Regional Program for the Elimination of Human Rabies Transmitted by Dogs, providing technical cooperation to countries since 1983.

Thanks to the commitment of governments and communities across the region, collaborative efforts among countries, and PAHO’s technical support, the Americas have achieved a 98% reduction in cases of human rabies transmitted by dogs, from 300 cases in 1983 to just 12 cases reported in 2025 and 2026 (through July).

Human rabies transmitted by dogs is considered a priority by countries across the region, within the framework of PAHO’s Disease Elimination Initiative which has set the goal of eliminating human rabies transmitted by dogs in the Americas by 2030.

PAHO’s regional strategy promotes:

Strengthening national rabies programs across countries.
Implementing annual mass dog vaccination campaigns, achieving coverage of at least 80% of the dog population.
Improving access to, availability, and quality of immunobiological products for both dog vaccination and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis for people.
Strengthening laboratory diagnostic capacity.
Promoting health education and public awareness about rabies, including responsible pet ownership.

Ensuring equitable access to health services and timely rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in underserved communities not only saves lives but also contributes to strengthening public health systems throughout the region.

Everyone Has a Role to Play

Eliminating rabies requires coordinated action at every level. Individuals, communities, organizations, and governments all play an essential role in preventing, detecting, and controlling the disease.

When responsibilities are clearly defined and efforts are aligned, we can expand vaccination coverage, strengthen surveillance, improve access to post-exposure prophylaxis, and protect the most vulnerable populations.

Rabies is preventable. Its elimination depends on our collective commitment.

Collaboration Amplifies Impact

Effective partnerships help us go further.

Effective coordination and communication reduce duplication of efforts, strengthen outcomes, and optimize the use of available resources. By sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices, countries and communities can accelerate progress toward the elimination of rabies.

Collaboration between the public sector and society strengthens response capacity and contributes to building more resilient and sustainable systems.