11 April
2011
From: Stephen M. Apatow
Founder, Director of Research & Development
Humanitarian Resource Institute
Humanitarian University Consortium Graduate Studies
Center for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine & Law
Phone: 203-668-0282
Email: s.m.apatow@humanitarian.net
Internet: www.humanitarian.net
Pathobiologics International Wildlife Rehabilitation & Information Node
Url: http://www.pathobiologics.org/mmp/opmed/wrr
Subject: HRI:UNArts: H-II: Stephen Michael Apatow
Promotes World Rabies Education Initiative
Rabies
is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through
the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus infects the central nervous
system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. The early symptoms
of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including
fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses,
more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion,
slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation,
hypersalivation (increase in saliva), difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia
(fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of these
symptoms. -- U.S. CDC Rabies Information Site. [1]
According
to the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), [2] rabies
causes at least 55,000 human deaths annually in Africa and Asia. Almost
all human cases of rabies result from bites by rabid dogs.
"Prevention
at the animal source is the key strategy in dealing with rabies, and veterinarians
are therefore crucial to its control," according to the GARC. "Today
only 10 percent of the financial resources used to treat people after
a dog bite would suffice to fund national veterinary services of the world
to eradicate rabies in animals and stop virtually all human cases." --
World Veterinary Day to focus on rabies prevention: AVMA.
[3]
In an
effort to enhance rabies education initiatives, Humanitarian Resource
Institute, the United Nations Arts Initiative and Pathobiologics International
are collaborating in the promotion of a 192 country education initiative
that will serve as a bridge into World Veterinary Day 2011 on April 30.
The goal is to raise awareness and encourage educators, public health
professionals, physicians and veterinarians to play a role role in in rabies
prevention and control.
The activities available for participation are listed in the GARC
Get Involved section of their web site and includes Campaigns, Teaching
a Rabies Education Class, Professional Participation as a Physician/Veterinarian
and Fundraising. Additional information is available online at:
http://www.rabiescontrol.net/EN/Get-Involved.html
The World
Veterinary Association [4] created World Veterinary Day in 2000 as an
annual celebration of the veterinary profession, falling on the last Saturday
of April. The WVA, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and Global
Alliance for Rabies Control have partnered to promote this year's theme
of rabies prevention.
References:
- U.S. CDC
Rabies Information Site: Url: http://www.cdc.gov/rabies
- Global
Alliance for Rabies Control: Url: http://www.rabiescontrol.net
- World
Veterinary Day to focus on rabies prevention: AVMA. Url: http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/apr11/110415m.asp
- World
Veterinary Association: Url: http://www.worldvet.org
Related:
- HRI:UNArts: Global Comprehensive Health
Organization, One Health Commission Locates to ISU: Humanitarian
Resource Institute, 3 March 2011. Includes Yale School of Medicine:
Yale Human Animal Health Project – A Center for “One Health” Studies
(USA). Url: http://www.pathobiologics.org/btac/ref/aiie_ohc332011.html
- H-II: Stephen Michael Apatow Named
Ambassador for Vet2011 Global Initiative: World Veterinary Association, 9 February
2011. Url: http://www.worldvet.org/taxonomy/term/34?page=1
- HRI:UNArts
- One World, One Health: World Veterinary Day 2010: World Veterinary Association,
24 April 2010. Url: http://www.worldvet.org/node/6267
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