World Rabies Day at the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC)

World Rabies Day (WRD) was established by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is observed every year on 28 September to raise awareness about rabies prevention, reduce transmission, and advocate for elimination of one of the world’s deadliest zoonoses.

The date was chosen in memory of Louis Pasteur, who, together with the Dr Emile ROUX, developed the first effective human rabies vaccine; 28 September marks the anniversary of his death.

To celebrate WRD 2025, the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) organized a week of educational activities from 26 to 30 September, including (i) rabies education sessions at the three IPC Rabies Prevention Centers and  (ii) talks on rabies prevention and control for students at Hun Sen Kampong Cham High School and the Battambang Regional Training Center for Health.

The events were highlighted by a motivational address from Professor André Spiegel, IPC Director, acknowledging and encouraging all IPC staff working on rabies.

Eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 is a core public-health commitment of IPC. In support of the Ministry of Health, IPC (i) provides post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to animal-bite victims, (ii) hosts the reference laboratory for rabies diagnosis, (iii) conducts clinical research to optimize PEP regimens, (iv) strengthens rabies surveillance and community awareness and (v) promotes the One Health approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health.

Together with national partners, IPC remains fully engaged in accelerating Cambodia’s progress toward Zero by 30.