Public Health Experts Convene to Discuss the Treatment and Preve

WORLD RABIES DAY IS SEPTEMBER 8, 2007

Veterinarians Remind Americans to Vaccinate their Pets

September 8th is World Rabies Day, designated to highlight the issue that despite advances in prevention, rabies is still a serious health problem. An estimated fifty to sixty thousand people die of rabies in the world each year and there are still cases of rabies in the United States.

Wildlife, like raccoons and skunks, are among the most common carriers of rabies in the US, and public health officials are working to vaccinate wildlife against the disease. In fact, in 2006 there were almost 7,000 animals diagnosed with rabies.

The best way to protect pets and people is to make sure your pet's rabies vaccination is current. State laws even require all dog owners to keep rabies vaccinations up to date, and vets remind us not to forget to vaccinate cats. People should also keep their distance from wildlife, as well as unfamiliar dogs and cats. For more information and to find veterinarians in your area, visit: www.rabiesawareness.com.

The Centers for Disease Control will hold an international meeting on September 7, one day in advance of World Rabies Day, to discuss ways to help reduce the tens of thousands of deaths that occur from rabies around the world each year.