Fiji is free of Rabies and on the occasion of World Rabies Day this year, the Biosecurity Authrority of Fiji (BAF) along with its stakeholders take the opportunity to reiterate that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep Fiji free from rabies.

Annually, September 28 is recognised as World Rabies Day, a global health observance that started in 2007 to raise awareness about rabies and bring together partners to enhance prevention and control efforts worldwide. This year the theme for the annual event is “Rabies: Facts, not Fear”.

Rabies is a zoonotic disease (a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans), caused by the rabies virus, of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae. Domestic dogs are the most common reservoir of the virus, with more than 99% of human deaths caused by dog-mediated rabies.

While rabies is a 100% preventable disease, more than 59,000 people die from the disease globally each year. As such, the World Rabies Day is an opportunity for BAF, Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and other stakeholders to reflect on our efforts to control this deadly disease and remind ourselves that the fight is not yet over. Improved collaborative approach must be maintained to prevent its entry into Fiji.