World Rabies Day on September 28 aims to raise awareness about the importance of rabies vaccinations. Rabies is responsible for over 70,000 deaths annually worldwide, including around 30,000 children, primarily due to dog bites. In the United States, human fatalities from rabies are rare, occurring only a few times each year because of vaccination efforts and post-exposure vaccines.
"Before the 1960s, most animal rabies cases in the United States were in dogs, but thanks to vaccination efforts, over 90% are in wildlife now," said Erin Phipps, DVM, MPH, State Public Health Veterinarian for the New Mexico Department of Health. "Rabies is nearly 100% fatal but is 100% preventable. World Rabies Day is a good reminder to contact your veterinarian for a checkup and vaccines."
In 2023, New Mexico reported 16 cases of rabies in animals. So far in 2024, there have been nine cases.
September 28 serves as an opportune time to check when pets such as dogs, cats, or horses were last vaccinated. Vaccinating pets protects them and helps create a barrier between potentially rabid wildlife and families. This remains crucial even if pets are kept indoors or within fenced yards since rabid wildlife can still enter these spaces.
Local veterinarians and animal-support groups may offer rabies clinics on September 28.
For more information about rabies and prevention methods, visit www.nmhealth.org/about/erd/ideb/zdp/rab/. For additional details regarding this press release, contact David Barre at (505) 699-9237 (Office).
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Día Mundial contra la Rabia: Proteger a las mascotas con vacunas vitales
