Global threat

In developing nations, rabies is a huge and deadly problem.

Although routine rabies vaccinations have all but eliminated the threat of rabies in much of the western world, in developing nations, rabies is responsible for tens of thousands of human deaths every year

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 55,000 people in the world—most of them children—die of rabies every year. Nearly 25,000 of these deaths occur in Africa.

Almost all human cases of rabies are caused by bites from rabid dogs—the prime culprit of this disease in developing nations. Children are at particular risk from rabies due to their close contact with dogs. It is estimated that up to 60% of human rabies victims are 15 years of age or younger. Children are more likely than adults to suffer multiple bites as well as bites to the head and face. They are also more likely to underestimate the dangers from a bite and as a result, to remain silent.

Rabies is a widespread global problem. But the good news is that it is completely preventable.