274. 93. 42. That's how many rabies cases were reported in the US in 2007 in cats, dogs, and horses, respectively.
Yet the human figures around the world are staggeringly worse: more than 55,000 people die from rabies every year. Tools and technology are available to help prevent these deaths through canine rabies elimination and access to prompt medical care. Rabies is the most deadly disease known to mankind and there is no known cure. Most of the animals that die of rabies were either never vaccinated against rabies or they did not receive the appropriate booster dose of vaccine in a timely manner. Most humans that die of rabies did not understand the necessary steps required to prevent rabies and did not seek medical advice and appropriate medical treatment after they were exposed.
September 28 is World Rabies Day, a unified global effort to make history in the fight against rabies and teach others how easy it is to prevent rabies.
What can you do? Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccines, including rabies. In Illinois, it's required by law in all counties that pets be vaccinated. You're doing your pet AND yourself a favor by vaccinating! More information can be found on the World Rabies Day website.
1 comment:
Dr. - Just learned alot about rabies on the show "The Doctors". I believe Iowa has the same law about pets being vaccinated. I learned the usual carriers such as bats, raccoons, as well as stray animals. Only one person in the united states has ever survived rabies without a vaccine, she came on the show to talk to people about how she got rabies and how to avoid it.
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