World Rabies Day 2021: Theme, Quotes And Messages

World Rabies Day is observed on Sept.28 every year since the year 2007.

The day is celebrated aiming to spread awareness about the deadly disease that is now 100% preventable yet claims lives due to limited knowledge about the virus.

This year is the 15th World Rabies Day and the theme is: "Rabies: Facts, not Fear".

"Facts are essential for raising disease awareness, preventing rabies cases, having the animal population vaccinated, and educating people about the dangers of rabies and how to prevent it. Without facts, we would not have data for decision-makers to inform them of the serious nature of the disease," the World Health Organisation (WHO) states.

"The word 'fear' has three meanings in this year’s theme. Firstly, it relates to the general fear caused by rabies, the fear people experience when encountering rabid animals, and the fear that people live within communities plagued by rabies. The second meaning relates directly to the symptom of fear that people may experience when infected with rabies. Lastly, fear relates to the fear caused by ‘fake news’ or myths about rabies – making people afraid of vaccination, making people afraid to get their animals sterilized or vaccinated, and making people believe in ineffective treatments for the disease," the statement reads.

Here are some quotes and messages taken from the Quint that commemorates the day.

"If it's someone's pet and you’re keeping it at home, there's just too much room for error there. Hopefully, Lady will not get rabies, but we have to assume the raccoon was rabid" - Lynda Smith.

"The ultimate goal really and truly addresses our rabies control and prevention program in addition to improving the care for animals, and lastly, it is an initial step to help control the pet overpopulation" - Mark Everett.

"The world is in an extremely dangerous situation, and serious diseases often require the risk of a dangerous cure like the Pasteur serum for rabies" - Alan Watts.

"A dog that has rabies probably will do things it wouldn't do if it didn't have rabies. But that doesn't change the fact that it has rabies" - John Malkovich.

Messages for World Rabies Day:

" If anyone gets bit by a dog in your neighborhood, make sure he gets the rabies vaccine. That's your contribution to educate the people this World Rabies Day."

" More than 21,000 people die of Rabies every year in India. Make an effort to spread awareness this World Rabies Day so that no one dies because of this transmissible disease."

"Save your pets, your family, and yourself from Rabies, keep the rabies vaccinations of your pet up-to-date, and save the people around you. Happy World Rabies Day!"