Carlton House Terrace
St. James's, London SW1Y
UK
Leeuwenhoek Lecture 2018 given by Professor Sarah Cleaveland OBE FRS
Rabies is one of the world’s oldest-known, most terrifying and most deadly diseases. Although the disease no longer poses a threat to public health in many wealthier parts of the world, tens of thousands of people in impoverished communities of Asia and Africa still die from rabies every year as a result of rabid dog bites. International efforts are now focused on a global target of zero human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.
This presentation describes how more than 100 years of rabies research provides cause for optimism as to the feasibility of canine rabies elimination but also highlights the need for realism in the path towards elimination, emphasising the importance of partnerships, political will, public engagement and perseverance.
Research on rabies also has broader relevance to the control and elimination of several diseases of current concern to human and animal health, including emerging and neglected diseases, and exemplifies the benefits of taking of a “One Health” approach to disease control and prevention.
The prize lecture will be webcast live and the video recording will be available shortly after the event.
Free to attend
No registration required
Doors open from 18:00, and seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis
The Leeuwenhoek Medal and Lecture is awarded biennially. It was originally established to recognise excellence in the field of microbiology, bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology, and microscopy.
Professor Sarah Cleaveland OBE FRS is awarded the Leeuwenhoek Medal and Lecture 2018 in recognition for her pioneering work towards the eradication of rabies throughout the world.