STOR – Scientific & Technical Office of REMESA
and Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe) – National/FAO Reference Center for Rabies are pleased to announce the first Training Course on Rabies “Towards Rabies Control: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Vaccination”, in collaboration with the joint WOAH-FAO REMESA Secretariat, and supported by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The event will be held at the IZSVe (Padova), which hosts the FAO Reference Center for rabies, on September 26-28, 2023 to celebrate the 17th World Rabies Day.
World Rabies Day is the most important event on the global rabies calendar, coordinated by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), celebrated every year on September 28 to commemorate the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death. This year’s theme is “Rabies: All for 1, One Health for all”, which highlights the need for all countries to collaborate and strengthen global healthcare systems in the effort to reduce the impact of rabies on both human and animal health.
Rabies is one of the oldest diseases known to humanity, yet it remains a daily threat to millions of people worldwide, particularly in Africa and Asia, where there is a high proportion of unvaccinated free-roaming or stray dogs that serve as the primary reservoir of this disease. Rabies claims a life every 9 minutes, approximately 59,000 people each year, disproportionately affecting the less educated and economically disadvantaged population who lack access to or do not seek post-exposure prophylaxis. However, despite being invariably fatal once symptoms appear, the infection can be prevented through a timely intervention.
The Training Course will feature the participation of one scientist representing each of the REMESA (REseau MEditerranéen de Santé Animale) Member States. Participants from North Africa and the Middle East will be funded by STOR, which shows the organization’s commitment to promoting international collaboration.
The theoretical-practical training course will span three intense days of learning and knowledge exchange. Two days will involve hands-on activities conducted at the laboratories of the IZSVe and the sanitary kennel managed by the Azienda Unità Locale Socio Sanitaria 6 Euganea (the Local Health Authority competent for the territory). The third day will be entirely devoted to theory lessons, featuring presentations by leading experts in this field as guest speakers. The entire day will be livestreamed on the Zoom digital platform, allowing remote participation for other researchers as well.
The Training Course represents a significant step forward in promoting animal health and international collaboration in the Mediterranean region. It provides a unique opportunity for scientists and experts to share knowledge and develop skills to address common challenges in the fight against rabies.
For further information on the World Rabies Day: https://rabiesalliance.org/world-rabies-day
Go to the World Rabies Day website »
