We have developed a rabies awareness animated video. The video has been driven through the recommendations from the University of Sydney research into managing the risk of rabies incursion in Papua New Guinea and Charles Darwin University research developing culturally appropriate rabies communications messaging.
Australia does NOT have rabies.
It is a serious disease that kills more the 60,000 people a year across the world, and as it spreads across Australia’s northern neighbours, it is becoming more likely it will eventually reach our shores.
Australia does not have rabies, but it could come here any time:
- if the virus were to spread from Indonesia, into West Papua and across into Papua New Guinea, there is a greater risk rabies could enter into Australia through Torres Strait
- via yachts carrying rabies-infected dogs from Indonesia, landing on Australia’s northern coastline and mixing with dingoes and community cats and dogs
The video supports key target messages:
- Australia does not have rabies. Let’s keep it that way!
- Keep a TopWatch! for rabies in your community
- If you see any dog suddenly change their behaviour from a happy to a crazy or strange dog, report it to a ranger, the health clinic, biosecurity officer or another adult you trust.
- An adult viewer can call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888
Key stakeholders are encouraged to download and share the video as an educational tool.