Veterinary students from around the world unite on World Rabies Day

The International Veterinary Students Association’s (IVSA) Standing Committee on One Health organized events through 12 of their country chapters for World Rabies Day.

The countries involved covered the full spectrum of rabies prevention measures, from Japan and Portugal which have rabies well controlled, to Nepal where rabies kills approximately 200 people every year and stray dogs are routinely poisoned with strychnine to control numbers.

The events all focused on public awareness, with particular attention paid to children, although some also included free or cut-price rabies vaccinations for animals.

The IVSA also put together a leaflet highlighting the rabies situation in the various countries and how people could participate in their World Rabies Day events. Theyposted the leaflet on Facebook and Twitter on World Rabies Day – you can see it here.

The IVSA is an international not-for-profit organization run by volunteer veterinary students. Rabies is a global issue and veterinarians have a special role to play in any country’s rabies prevention efforts. We (GARC) are encouraged and delighted by the involvement of this veterinary student body and look forward to more news from them in the future.