Tehran – The head of Iran’s Veterinary Organization announced that a global initiative aims to eliminate human fatalities from rabies by 2030.

 

Speaking at the National Conference on World Rabies Day at the Pasteur Institute of Iran, Alireza Rafieipour said the organization is pursuing extensive measures to prevent and control zoonotic diseases.

 

These include nationwide vaccination programs, continuous disease surveillance, upgraded health standards, and strengthened laboratory infrastructure.

 

He highlighted growing challenges such as climate change, increased human and animal mobility, and emerging infectious diseases, stressing the importance of close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, and international bodies including the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

“To achieve the global goal of eliminating rabies by 2030, Iran must adopt a strategic roadmap, ensure nationwide dog vaccination, and strengthen inter-agency cooperation,” Rafieipour said.

 

According to him, Asia and Africa bear the heaviest burden of dog-related rabies, accounting for 63% and 36% of cases worldwide. He noted that while vaccination coverage among dogs in Asia stands at just 14%, the figure in the Americas reaches 60% - a level that has already reduced human rabies deaths there to zero.

 

Rafieipour reaffirmed that Iran’s Veterinary Organization is fully committed to deploying its scientific, human, and operational resources toward controlling and ultimately eradicating rabies.