Published on 

Minister Creed highlights the importance of vigilance against rabies on World Rabies Day 2018

Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, acknowledged today, 28th September, as World Rabies Day. The Minister recalled that while Ireland has been free from rabies since 1903, and that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has policies in place to maintain this freedom, Ireland is not free from the risk of rabies. Cases have been reported in pets and wildlife in Europe in recent years and he therefore wished to take the opportunity to highlight the importance of continuing vigilance against rabies.

Minister Creed said: 

The risk to Ireland from rabies is low, but increasing movements of animals into and throughout Europe means that we must remain vigilant.  Everyone in Ireland has a part to play - the most likely way rabies could be introduced into the country is through the importation of dogs, cats or ferrets.  All dogs, cats and ferrets entering Ireland must be vaccinated against rabies before they arrive.  Rabies is a notifiable disease in Ireland.  This means that if you suspect an animal is affected by rabies, you must notify the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine immediately, by contacting your local Regional Veterinary Office.

Rabies is one of the most deadly zoonotic diseases worldwide, and kills nearly 60 000 people annually. The theme of World Rabies Day 2018 is 'Rabies: Share the message. Save a life' and the aim is to help in the fight to eliminate all human deaths from canine mediated rabies by 2030. Events are being organised worldwide by participating organisations to help raise awareness.

Further information about rabies can be found on the Department’s website at:

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/diseasecontrol/rabies/

Information about bringing pets into Ireland can be found at:

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets/

 

Notes for editors:

  •        World Rabies Day is organised by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control. More information can be found at:

https://rabiesalliance.org/world-rabies-day

  •        The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) estimate that approximately 60,000 people across the world die every year from rabies and that rabies is still endemic in 150 countries/territories worldwide. 
  • Most human deaths are due to dog bites and occur in children in developing countries. The majority of these deaths are preventable by increasing public awareness and access to canine rabies vaccine.
  •        Rabies eradication requires a multidisciplinary effort between health, veterinary and local authorities. By working together rabies can be eliminated for good.
  •        In 2015 the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), World Health Organisation (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with partners, the Global Alliance for the Control of Rabies (GARC) announced their framework for eliminating rabies by 2030.
  •        A European Commission video entitled ‘EU pet passports and the fight against rabies’ can be found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyJkA4tk5OU
  •        Rabies is a notifiable disease in the Republic of Ireland. If you suspect an animal of being affected by rabies you must notify the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine immediately, by contacting your local Regional Veterinary Office. A list of Regional Veterinary Offices can be found :

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/aboutus/aboutthedepartment/officesofthedepartment/