The Thai Red Cross Society's Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute Director, Professor Emeritus Dr. Wisit Sitapreecha, presided over the World Rabies Day 2024 opening ceremony on September 28, 2024.
The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, a collaborating organization with the World Health Organization (WHO) in the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training on Rabies Prophylaxis, hosted the World Rabies Day 2024 event at Chulalongkorn University's Centenary Park. In cooperation with the 5 World Rabies Day networks in Bangkok, such as the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health; Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives; Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Health Department; the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University; and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University the objective is to raise public awareness about rabies prevention.
The event was held under the theme "Breaking Rabies Boundaries" and this year was the 111th anniversary of Rabies vaccine production in Thailand, since 1913. Its objective is to reinforce Rabies prevention, raise awareness of the risks, and work together to eradicate the disease from Thailand.
The event's activities focused on key target groups, particularly pet owners, to promote proper animal care and responsible pet ownership. This is part of efforts to control rabies and reduce the issue of stray animals. Activities included promoting rabies vaccinations and other vaccines for dogs and cats and advocating for pet health through population control by sterilization. Pet owners brought a total of 259 pets to participate in this event.
The event included an exhibition on rabies education by 11 participating organizations and a "Rabies Eradication Rally" with entertaining activities and rewards. Attendees watched a demonstration of dog skills by the Royal Thai Air Force's Air Police unit and took part in panel discussions. "111 Years of Thailand's United Effort to Eliminate Rabies" featured speakers from the Department of Disease Control, the Veterinary Public Health Bureau, the Health Department, and the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute. Another discussion, "Together We Can: Breaking Rabies Boundaries," focused on pet care and rabies prevention, led by Dr. Maiek Gandis Wannaroon, veterinarian, and Ms. Kambum Preeyada Sithachai, a Thai actress and pet owner influencer.
The Thai Red Cross Society's Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute appreciates the approximately 600 visitors who attended the event, including pet owners, academics, students, representatives of animal welfare organizations, public health, veterinary experts, and the community for participation in the event.
Event images
