Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, marked World Rabies Day by emphasizing the ongoing importance of vigilance against rabies. Observed annually on 28 September, the day raises awareness about rabies prevention and the need to maintain control measures. Although Ireland has been free from rabies since 1903, the country remains at risk due to cases reported in pets and wildlife across Europe.
Minister Heydon stressed the significance of remaining alert, particularly when traveling with pets or importing animals into Ireland. The primary pathway for rabies introduction is through pet travel or the importation of exotic animals. Compliance with legislative requirements, including species-specific vaccination rules, is essential to safeguard both pets and public health.
Rabies persists in over 150 countries worldwide and can be transmitted to humans via bites or scratches from infected animals, including dogs, cats, and wildlife such as monkeys. Despite being vaccine-preventable, rabies causes approximately 59,000 deaths each year, with around half of these occurring in children under 15 years of age.
World Rabies Day 2025, with the theme “Act now: You, Me, Community,” seeks to raise global awareness and mobilize collective action to eliminate human deaths from canine-mediated rabies by 2030. Participating organizations worldwide are hosting events to educate communities and strengthen preventive measures.
The Department advises anyone suspecting an animal may be affected by rabies to immediately contact their local Regional Veterinary Office. Information on rabies prevention and regulations for traveling with pets is available through the Department’s official resources.
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