World Rabies Day: Act Now for Pakistan’s Children
As the world marks World Rabies Day on September 28 with the theme “Act Now: You, Me, Community,” Pakistan faces a stubborn toll from a disease that is 100% preventable. About 1,000 people die each year from rabies, and children bear the brunt, especially in rural and low-income areas where access to care is limited and awareness remains uneven.
The Scale of the Problem
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. The World Health Organization notes that dogs account for up to 99% of human cases, with children aged 5 to 14 among the most frequent victims. The incubation period can range from a few weeks to months, and early signs—fever, pain, or tingling at the bite site—can be easy to miss. Globally, rabies exacts a heavy toll, with an estimated economic burden of about USD 8.6 billion each year due to lost lives, medical costs, and the long-term trauma suffered by families.
Why Pakistan Remains at Risk
In Pakistan, gaps in dog vaccination coverage, limited emergency care access, and delays in receiving post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) contribute to preventable fatalities. Dr. Mohammad Irfan Habib, Medical Director of ChildLife Foundation, emphasized to Dawn that many children suffer when post-bite treatment is delayed. He urged parents and caregivers to act quickly: wash dog-bite wounds with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, seek emergency care without delay, and complete the full vaccination schedule after exposure.
What Needs to Change
Public health experts say a multi-pronged approach is essential: large-scale dog vaccination campaigns to curb transmission, expanded and affordable PEP services, and sustained public education. Rural communities require targeted outreach, including mobile vaccination drives, trained community health workers, and subsidized vaccines, so that a bite does not turn into a fatal outcome. Knowing how to respond after an exposure and recognizing when to seek care are as crucial as the vaccines themselves.
The Path Forward: Doctors, Communities, and Government
World Rabies Day serves as a reminder that rabies is preventable with concerted action. A strong investment in prevention—vaccinating dogs, equipping clinics with PEP, and maintaining ongoing awareness campaigns—offers a clear return: saved lives and reduced economic burden. For Pakistan, collaboration among health authorities, NGOs, local leaders, and communities is key to ensuring timely PEP access and expanding preventative measures across the country.
Call to Action for Readers
Every parent and caregiver should know the lifesaving steps after a dog bite: wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, seek urgent medical care, and complete the vaccination schedule. Pet vaccination, bite prevention, and rapid treatment can end the cycle of needless loss. On World Rabies Day, individuals and communities are urged to act—because rabies doesn’t have to claim young lives when prevention is within reach.
