Collective Efforts Vital To Prevent Rabies
'Collective Efforts Vital To Prevent Rabies'
Published September 28, 2026 | 03:50 PM
MULTAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Sep, 2026)
Coordinated efforts to vaccinate dogs, promote responsible pet ownership, and ensure timely treatment after animal bites can play a vital role in preventing rabies and saving lives, while sustained public awareness is essential to reducing the risk of the deadly but preventable disease.
Senior Veterinary Officer Dr Jamshaid Akhtar, while talking to APP on Monday, said the theme of this year’s World Rabies Day, "Stronger Together", highlights the importance of collective action by veterinary professionals, healthcare providers, government institutions, animal owners, and communities to prevent and ultimately eliminate rabies.
He said the day is observed annually on September 28 to commemorate the death anniversary of renowned French scientist Louis Pasteur, who developed the first successful rabies vaccine. The occasion provides an opportunity to raise public awareness about rabies prevention and reinforce efforts aimed at eliminating deaths caused by the disease.
Dr Jamshaid Akhtar said dogs remain the principal source of human rabies infections, making mass dog vaccination one of the most effective measures to control the disease at its source. He stressed the need for sustained and well-organized dog vaccination campaigns, saying high vaccination coverage among the dog population could substantially reduce the risk of rabies transmission to humans.
He noted that the "Stronger Together" theme also reflects the importance of the One Health approach, under which animal health, human health, and community-level measures are addressed through coordinated efforts.
"Rabies cannot be effectively controlled through isolated efforts. Veterinary professionals, medical practitioners, local authorities, communities, and animal owners all have an important role in preventing the disease," he said.
Dr Jamshaid urged people keeping dogs and other susceptible animals as pets to ensure their regular anti-rabies vaccination through qualified veterinary professionals. He also advised pet owners to consult a veterinary doctor promptly if their animals developed unusual behavioral or neurological signs or were suspected of exposure to a rabid animal.
He emphasized that public awareness is equally important, particularly in communities where people frequently come into contact with stray or unvaccinated dogs. Citizens should be aware of the immediate steps required after an animal bite and should not rely on traditional or unproven remedies, he added.
The veterinary officer said rabies is almost invariably fatal once clinical symptoms appear, but deaths can be prevented through timely and appropriate post-exposure measures. He advised anyone bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal to immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention without delay for proper assessment and, where required, rabies post-exposure treatment.