Rabies is the deadliest disease known to mankind and yet it is virtually 100% vaccine-preventable.
There are no known cures for rabies once clinical symptoms are evident.
Over 95% of all human deaths occur in Asia and Africa and approximately 99% of all deaths are caused by exposure to infected dogs.
Children under 15 years of age constitute an estimated 40% of the victims of rabies and they should be targeted for increased educational awareness programs.
In regions where the exposure rates are high and access to rabies vaccines is limited, administering pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to children would save lives.
Rabies is significantly under-reported and often misdiagnosed as another encephalitic disease.
Travelers visiting rabies-endemic countries where vaccine supplies are limited should consider receiving PrEP (vaccination).
