Children & the Law Blog

Health organizations around the world have joined to call attention to the problem of rabies and encourage its treatment and elimination through World Rabies Day on September 28, 2008. Though preventable, rabies is nearly always fatal when once an infected person becomes symptomatic and disproportionately affects children.

Despite being 100% preventable, rabies results in an estimated 55,000 deaths globally each year – approximately one person every 10 minutes. Most of these deaths are reported from Africa and Asia with almost 50% of the victims being children under the age of 15. The most important global source of rabies in humans is from uncontrolled rabies in dogs. Children are often at greatest risk from rabies, as they are most likely to be bitten by dogs or other animals and are often bitten in high-risk areas (such as the head or face).

Prevention has become particularly important in light of recent interruption in rabies vaccine supply which may make the rapid treatment necessary after possible infection too difficult for many to receive. World Rabies Day volunteers are setting up vaccination clinics, raising awareness and holding fundraising events to support continued prevention efforts.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Make Rabies History
• World Rabies Day, September 28, 2008