By Allison Kozicharow; Edited by Elizabeth Fine
Rabies is one of the oldest diseases known, once always fatal to animals and humans. In 1885 Dr. Louis Pasteur injected a series of rabies vaccine into a boy who had been bitten by a rabid dog. The child survived. Without the protection of vaccines though, infected humans and animals still are almost certain to die.
WiRED International now offers a Rabies training module, adding to its library of 400 health education modules available for public use. The spread of rabies, along with a host of other infectious and non-infectious diseases, is increasingly affected by climate change. WiRED has assembled a team of doctors, veterinarians and environmental experts to develop a series of modules that describe in detail the intersection of human, animal and environmental health. This framework— known as One Health — is of increasing interest within the scientific community worldwide.
Lisa Eshman, D.V.M., veterinarian and contributor to WiRED’s upcoming One Health series, said:
Rabies management requires a multifaceted approach due to its zoonotic nature, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Once an animal has signs of rabies, the disease is always fatal. In humans, survival is extremely rare. The One Health framework integrates various sectors — public health, veterinary services and environmental management — to create a comprehensive strategy for disease control. This approach is essential for effective rabies surveillance and vaccination programs, particularly in regions where the disease is endemic.
WiRED’s Rabies module provides an introduction to rabies, a preventable viral illness most often transmitted through the saliva of an animal infected with rhabdovirus. The module describes rabies, its causes, its signs and symptoms, its diagnosis and treatment, fatal outcomes and its prevention through good pet care and rabies vaccination annually or every three years, depending on the type of vaccine used and state regulations.
Announces Upcoming Series on Human, Animal and Environmental Health
WiRED’s team working on the One Health project includes six health experts and another five professionals who will edit, package and peer review the material. The series is designed specifically for WiRED’s community health workers, and it will be offered without charge to a global audience increasingly concerned about the health implications of climate change.
WiRED anticipates the launch of this six-module One Health series in the fall of 2024.