Global Perspectives on Rabies Prevention and Control: A Decade of World Rabies Day Themes and Progress toward Elimination (2016–2025)

Authors
Ashkan Alamdary 1
Mehdi Ajorloo 2
Alireza Gholami 1
1 Research and Development Department, Production and Research Complex, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Karaj, Iran;
2 Biological Products and Blood Safety Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
10.61882/ibj.5398
Abstract
Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease, responsible for approximately 59,000 human deaths annually; the majority occur in developing regions of Asia and Africa. This review explores worldwide efforts to prevent and control rabies during 2016–2025, using the evolving themes of World Rabies Day (WRD) as a framework. The research objective is to assess epidemiological trends, intervention strategies, challenges, and innovations related to the World Health Organization's target of zero human rabies deaths by 2030. The findings highlight a significant reduction in global rabies occurrence, with mass vaccination campaigns for dogs achieving 70% coverage in Guinea and a 95% decrease in human cases in Latin America. However, gaps in surveillance, vaccine shortages, and poor public education persist. Low-cost intradermal prophylaxis, monoclonal antibodies, and AI-driven surveillance systems are promising approaches but remain constrained by socioeconomic inequalities and insufficient investment. Achieving “Zero by 30” requires stronger collaboration, equitable resource distribution, and sustained community mobilization.
Keywords
One Health
Post-exposure prophylaxis
Rabies
zoonoses