‘Stronger Together’: World Rabies Day highlights cooperation for rabies elimination
DÍLI, 24 September 2026 (TATOLI) — The global community will mark World Rabies Day on September 28 with a renewed call for governments, communities, health workers and animal-care professionals to work together to eliminate rabies.
This year’s campaign, under the theme “Stronger Together,” highlights the need for coordinated action across human health, animal health and communities to prevent rabies infections and deaths.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease that can affect both people and animals. The campaign says lasting progress depends on connecting prevention, vaccination, surveillance, public education and access to timely medical care rather than addressing the disease through isolated efforts.
A major focus is expanding access to mass dog vaccination, which remains a key measure for preventing rabies transmission at its source. Strengthening surveillance and reporting systems is also important for identifying cases, responding quickly to outbreaks and improving understanding of where the disease remains a threat.
Public awareness is another central part of the campaign. Communities can help reduce the risk of rabies through responsible animal care, vaccination and knowledge about how to respond after possible exposure.
Health workers also have an important role in ensuring that people exposed to rabies receive appropriate treatment as quickly as possible. Early medical intervention is critical because rabies is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms appear, while prompt post-exposure treatment can prevent the disease from developing.
Veterinary professionals are expected to support vaccination programmes, disease surveillance and responsible animal health practices. Governments and policymakers, meanwhile, play a central role through legislation, funding, national planning and coordination between relevant sectors.
The 2026 campaign also promotes a One Health approach, recognising that human health, animal health and the environment are closely connected.
Under this approach, vaccination, education, disease surveillance and public policies need to operate as part of a coordinated system. Cooperation between communities, health and veterinary services, governments, researchers and international organisations can help strengthen prevention efforts and make resources and expertise more widely available.
World Rabies Day also encourages individuals and organisations to contribute to prevention efforts by organising local awareness activities, sharing reliable educational information, vaccinating dogs, working with community organisations and supporting policies aimed at reducing rabies transmission.
The campaign urges people to share their activities and experiences to raise awareness and encourage wider participation in efforts to build a world free from rabies.
WHO said every contribution can help strengthen collective action because “we are Stronger Together.”
TATOLI
