Rabies

Human rabies

More than 15 million post-exposure prophylaxis every year

© Daniel Stewart

In most countries of Africa and Asia dogs continue to be the main hosts and are responsible for most of the human rabies deaths. Most African countries report the presence of human and dog rabies in all or large parts of their territories.

Although all age groups are susceptible, rabies is most common in people younger than 15 years; post-exposure prophylaxis is given on average to 40% of children in Asia and Africa aged 5–14 years, and the majority receiving treatment are male. In the north of the United Republic of Tanzania, the incidence of rabies is 3–5 times higher in children younger than 15 years than in adults.

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Current strategies for human rabies pre and post-exposure prophylaxis

WHO strategies for human rabies prevention


WHO promotes wider access to appropriate post-exposure treatment using modern tissue culture or avian embryo-derived rabies vaccines through

  • use of the multi-site intradermal regimen to reduce the cost of post-exposure treatments
  • possible domestic production of rabies biologicals, which are in critical short supply globally, particularly rabies immunoglobulin
  • continuing education of health and veterinary professionals in rabies prevention and control

28 September 2012
World Rabies Day

World Rabies Day 2008

Read here about the first World Rabies Day in 2007.

WHO recommends the intradermal route for post-exposure prophylaxis

in all places where rabies vaccines are in short supply

Pre & Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

WHO's presentation on Pre & Post exposure prophylaxis.