Boehringer Ingelheim steps up its efforts to eliminate rabies through sustainable programs 

Ingelheim, Germany, September 28, 2020 – Today we observe World Rabies Day that raises awareness about the impact of rabies and how the disease can be prevented.

Every nine minutes, rabies takes a human life¹, and as dog bites cause almost all human cases, the most effective way to protect humans is by vaccinating dogs. That is why Boehringer Ingelheim supports “Zero by 30”, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal to reduce the number of dog-mediated human rabies deaths to zero by 2030. The company’s strategy: focusing on sustainable and holistic solutions in the fight against rabies. 

Rabies is present in more than 150 countries and regions, especially in Asia and Africa, and dog bites are contributing up to 99 percent of transmission from animals to people². Forty percent of people bitten by suspect rabid animals are children under 15 years of age². 

“Lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways,” shares Jean Scheftsik de Szolnok, Member of the Board of Managing Directors with responsibility for Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. “That is why we intercept animal to human transmission of rabies on all fronts: by immunizing pet and stray dogs, avoiding reintroduction of the disease through wildlife vaccination, and by helping communities to establish structures to fight rabies themselves.” 

“Rabies Free Pakistan³”, led by the Indus Hospital in Karachi, is one such self-sustained rabies initiatives Boehringer Ingelheim amplifies. The company provides dog catchers of Rabies Free Pakistan with rabies vaccines and bright green dog collars to put on vaccinated stray dogs, allowing for post vaccination monitoring. The measure had a surprising side effect: the people of Karachi now react in a more friendly way to collared stray dogs, knowing they do not pose a risk of rabies infection.  

Where Pakistan still has a long way to go in its fight against rabies, Mexico⁴ has reached a milestone: the country has officially obtained the status as free from dog-mediated rabies according to new standards by the WHO, as the first country worldwide⁵. It has done so through its sustained dog vaccination campaigns. “We are proud to have contributed to Mexico’s efforts in eliminating dog-mediated rabies,” says Jean-Luc Michel, Head of Global Strategic Marketing at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health.  

Even countries that have eliminated dog-mediated rabies cannot rest idle, as wild animals may reintroduce the disease. As an example, in the U.S.⁶, every year, governmental planes drop millions of small packets containing Boehringer Ingelheim’s wildlife vaccine doses in rural areas to reduce the risk of wild animals transmitting rabies to people, pets or livestock. 

The WHO’s goal of eliminating dog-transmitted rabies is of enormous scale and complexity. A task that no one government, institution, NGO or company can solve on its own. Yet through powerful partnerships, sustained efforts and a holistic approach, each party can make a valuable contribution. Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to continue to help tackle rabies, now and in the future. 

References: 

¹ https://www.who.int/rabies/resources/9789241513838/en/    
² World Health Organization, 2019: Rabies - www.who.int/rabies/en/  
³ Rabies: the revolution wears green collars - https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health/our-responsibility/supporting-rabies-free-pakistan-indus-hospital  
⁴ A champion in saving lives - https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health/our-responsibility/mexico-rabies-free-dog-vaccination-campaigns  
⁵ https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/21-12-2019-mexico-is-free-from-human-rabies-transmitted-by-dogs  
⁶ Rabies and wildlife: 5 things you should know - https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health/our-responsibility/rabies-wildlife-5-things-know  

About rabies: 

Around 60,000 people die from rabies annually, mostly in Africa and Asia, as a result of being bitten by an infected dog. Dogs are major victims of the disease too; millions are killed every year by mass culling through misguided attempts to curb the disease. Rabies is 99.9 percent fatal, but it is also 100 percent preventable. Eliminating the disease by vaccinating dogs protects them and helps block transmission to people. But despite the existence of effective, relatively low-cost solutions to control animal rabies, people and animals are still dying. 

About World Rabies Day: 

World Rabies Day happens each September 28. The Global Alliance for Rabies Control initiated it in 2007 to create a global opportunity for people to unite in increasing awareness of rabies prevention. Since then, it has grown each year, with thousands of people organizing and participating in local, regional and national events. Learn more at www.rabiesalliance.org/world-rabies-day. 

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health  

The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. Across the globe, our 10,000 employees are dedicated to delivering value through innovation, thus enhancing the well-being of both. 

Respect for animals, humans and the environment is at the heart of what we do. We develop solutions and provide services to protect animals from disease and pain. We support our customers in taking care of the health of their animals and protect our communities against life- and society-threatening diseases. 

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is the second largest animal health business in the world, with net sales of 4 billion euros in 2019 and presence in more than 150 countries. For more information visit: www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health. 

Boehringer Ingelheim 

Making new and better medicines for humans and animals is at the heart of what we do. Our mission is to create breakthrough therapies that change lives. Since its founding in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is independent and family-owned. We have the freedom to pursue our long-term vision, looking ahead to identify the health challenges of the future and targeting those areas of need where we can do the most good.

As a world-leading, research-driven pharmaceutical company, more than 51,000 employees create value through innovation daily for our three business areas: Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. In 2019, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of 19 billion euros. Our significant investment of almost 3.5 billion euros in R&D drives innovation, enabling the next generation of medicines that save lives and improve quality of life.

We realize more scientific opportunities by embracing the power of partnership and diversity of experts across the life-science community. By working together, we accelerate the delivery of the next medical breakthrough that will transform the lives of patients now, and in generations to come.

More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found on www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

Intended audiences: 

This press release is issued from our Corporate Headquarters in Ingelheim, Germany and is intended to provide information about our global business. Please be aware that information relating to the approval status and labels of approved products may vary from country to country, and a country-specific press release on this topic may have been issued in the countries where we do business.