On the occasion of World Rabies Day 2025, communities across Andhra Pradesh, India came together under the theme “You, Me, and Community.” From Anantapur and Kurnool to Rampachodavaram in ASR districts, people of all ages gathered to talk about rabies — how to prevent it, what to do after an animal bite, and why awareness matters.
In collaboration with Navajeevan, SERP, the Ambuja Foundation, and the Department of Animal Husbandry, Passing Gifts ( a subsidiary of Heifer International) helped organize a series of awareness sessions across Anantapur, Kurnool, Satya Sai, and Rampachodavaram districts. The goal was clear — to reach people directly, share life-saving information, and break long-standing myths about rabies.
Spreading the Word
Over 150 participants — farmers, students, and animal handlers — joined the sessions. Volunteers distributed leaflets on the information on Rabies through community events and local veterinary hospitals, reaching nearly 1,000 households.
In many villages, the message became part of everyday conversation — at tea stalls, schools, and animal markets.
To make learning engaging, Passing Gifts' Andhra Pradesh Veterinary team - Dr. Darshitha Latur , Dr. Ganesh Nandi and Dr. Sravani Korrapati designed a Snakes-and-Ladders-style game called “The Great Rabies Race: Zero Deaths by 2030.”
Each move on the board highlighted a key action — vaccinating pets, washing wounds, or reporting bites — showing that small steps could save lives.
Lessons That Stuck
Participants learned that:
- Cats, not just dogs, can transmit rabies.
- Even neglected minor scratches can be dangerous.
- Children and livestock are also at risk.
A farmer asked whether a monkey bite required vaccination — the answer was yes. Such questions showed how eager people were to understand and protect themselves.
The sessions stressed one key message: ACT IMMEDIATELY. Cleaning wounds with soap and water for 15 minutes and seeking vaccination could prevent death.
“We realized that if dogs are not vaccinated, both our animals and people can be at risk,” U. Ramadevi, a SHG member from Anantapur said.
Animal handlers were also reminded about pre-exposure vaccination, especially those working closely with animals.
One Health, One Community
The campaign also introduced the One Health approach — the idea that animal and human health are deeply connected. When one animal in a community is infected, everyone is at risk. Protecting animals means protecting people.
This shared understanding captured the spirit of the theme — rabies prevention depends on all of us working together.
“We learned that for a healthy village, dogs, livestock, and people must all stay healthy together,” S. Radha, a farmer from Kurnool added.
Looking Back
For Andhra Pradesh, World Rabies Day 2025 became more than an observance — it became a movement. Villages learned, discussed, and took action. By working together, communities proved that awareness and unity could bring us closer to a rabies-free future.
Event images
