World Rabies Day: 28 September

·        World Rabies Day is observed every year on 28 September to raise awareness about the effects of the viral disease and how to prevent it.

·        The day is also celebrated globally to mark the death anniversary of the French biologist, microbiologist and chemist, Louis Pasteur, who developed the first rabies vaccine.

·        It is the only global day of action and awareness for the prevention of rabies.

·        World Rabies Day was first observed on 28 September 2007.

·        The theme of this year's World Rabies Day is 'Rabies: Facts, Not Fear'.

Important facts

About the virus

v Virus is a small parasite that cannot reproduce on its own.

v Most viruses have either RNA or DNA as their genetic material.

v The discovery of viruses: Dmitry Ivanovsky (1892).

v First known virus: Tobacco mosaic virus.

v Father of Virology: Martinus Bejerinck