World Rabies Day

Shockingly, Rabies is currently responsible for an estimated 59,000 agonising human deaths per year, of which 40% are children – mainly those living in poor rural communities in Africa and Asia that are farthest from medical and veterinary services.

Supporting World Rabies Day

In up to 99% of human rabies cases, dogs are responsible for the virus transmission. Thousands of dogs (and other animals) suffer and die due to both the disease and the indiscriminate culling prompted by fear of the disease.

This is why Wild at Heart Foundation supports World Rabies Day, which is an awareness and fundraising initiative to help prevent human deaths from dog-mediated rabies, whilst relieving the burden of rabies in other animal populations, especially in dogs.

The Elimination of Rabies

The global aim is to eliminate human deaths from dog rabies by 2030, by working with governments, veterinary, public health and educational experts; and communities to facilitate policy change and build capacity to eliminate rabies in areas hardest hit by the disease.

In the hope that with sustained vaccination over multiple years, the disease can be eliminated, Wild at Heart Foundation is continually raising funds to work with its global animal welfare partners.

Helping fund and facilitate sterilisation and vaccination programs to immunise dogs and protect their communities from the threat of rabies whilst educating local populations is the multi-layered approach that can succeed.

A Vaccine-Preventable Disease

Nevertheless, Rabies remains a killer disease to all mammals. It is Zoonotic (spread between animals, and from animals to humans), as a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system. Once clinical symptoms appear, including a fever, hydrophobia or fear of water and a fear of fresh air and drafts, rabies is virtually 100% fatal.

Yet Rabies is vaccine-preventable. With prompt post-rabies exposure, the administration of prophylaxis (PEP) can prevent the virus from reaching the central nervous system. PEP consists of thorough wound washing, administration of a course of human rabies vaccine and, when indicated, rabies immunoglobulins (RIG).

In richer countries like Canada and America where wildlife including wolves, bears, racoons, bats and skunks have been a ‘Rabies’ threat to pet dogs and cats, a mandatory rabies vaccination is required no later than eight months of age. The duration of immunity will vary according to the vaccine brand ranging from a year to five years.

Keeping the British Isles Rabies Free

In the UK we’re lucky in that ‘the British Isles’ is a Rabies free zone. The last outbreak was recorded in 1902. Any animal cases since then have been from dogs or cats having contracted the disease abroad and have shown symptoms.

When the Pet Passport Scheme was introduced back in 2000, it truly was a landmark moment not just for dog ownership, but it opened up a travel market for pets, especially dogs. Prior to this, it was impossible to holiday in mainland Europe with your dog unless, on your return, you were prepared to leave your dog in quarantine for six months.

The mandatory requirements of the PETS Passport were being microchipped, the Rabies vaccine, and a wormer to be given no less than 48 hours before returning to the UK. Before 2012, serological immunity to the Rabies vaccine was confirmed with a blood test, and owners had to wait six months before travelling. This provided a six-month ‘quarantine’ period, ensuring the dog was immune to Rabies. Back then Vets recommended that puppies were at least six months old to receive a Rabies vaccine. So, the process needed planning in advance, and prevented puppies from being brought into UK ‘under-age’.

In 2012 the rules were made more flexible, reducing the waiting / quarantine period to three weeks, and the age for a puppy to receive a Rabies vaccine to 12 weeks. Making travelling with your dog or cat to mainland Europe even more accessible. This opened up a new market known as #DogFriendly, which encouraged pet owners to be more adventurous as thousands of pets would travel under the PETS Scheme.

However, after Brexit in January 2020, the Pet Passport Scheme was dissolved, and replaced by The Animal Health Certificate (AHC).  Similar to the original PETS passport, the dog must be microchipped, and have proof of a current ‘Rabies’ inoculation.  The new certificate scheme similarly is allowed from 12 weeks, and travel is permitted after a 21 day ‘incubation’ period after the first rabies shot.

About the Author – Anna Webb

As a Canine Nutrition and Behaviour expert, Anna combines her psychology degree, with study at the College of Integrated Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) and over 20 years of experience. Host of the award-nominated A DOG’S LIFE podcast, she lives in London and is owned by Prudence, a Miniature Bull Terrier and Mr. Binks, a re-homed English Toy Terrier. www.annawebb.co.uk