160 Die A Day From Rabies, According To Global Study

Rabies is responsible for an alarming number of deaths every year, according to a recent report from the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC). In fact, researchers estimate that as many as 60,000 people die from it each year.

"This ground-breaking study is an essential step towards improved control and eventual elimination of rabies," said Professor Louis Nel, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC). "An understanding of the actual burden helps us determine and advocate for the resources needed to tackle this fatal disease."

Despite efforts to prevent this lethal viral disease, the organization says 160 individuals lose their life every day from its complications.

During the study, researchers investigated the impact of rabies in terms of deaths and various economic costs considered around the world.

The report found that economic costs incurred from rabies is about $8.6 billion annually, with a substantial portion of the figure of those costs derived from premature deaths, anti-rabies vaccines and numerous other expenses, according to GARC.

Due to the high costs, many in low-income countries are more susceptible to rabies. Because of this, a large number of reported cases are coming from Asia, accounting for 60 percent of deaths, with Africa experiencing another 36 percent. India is estimated to hold the highest number of rabies cases for any other country in the world, at 35 percent.

Countries in both Asia and Africa have the lowest number of vaccinated dogs, making it much more difficult to control the disease in these areas.

Vaccinating dogs is an easy way to prevent rabies, which is why government health agencies are actively working with citizens to provide better access to human vaccines for those in developing countries.

"Collaborative investments by medical and veterinary sectors could dramatically reduce the current large, and unnecessary, burden of rabies on affected communities," the authors of the report said. "Improved surveillance is needed to reduce uncertainty in burden estimates and to monitor the impacts of control efforts."

GARC officials hope that in time, they can lower the number of rabies casualties around the world.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.