GARC launches Wash, Tell, Go rabies awareness campaign for children

GARC has launched a global campaign and free education pack to teach children and young people what to do after an animal bite or scratch in rabies-endemic countries. The effort comes ahead of World Rabies Day on Sept. 28, 2026, and centers on three actions: wash, tell and go.

Why it matters: - Rabies is almost 99% fatal once clinical signs appear. - Rabies is 100% preventable when people act promptly after a potential exposure. - The campaign is aimed at helping children and young people remember what to do after a bite or scratch, which can speed access to care and improve prevention.

What happened: - GARC launched Wash, Tell, Go, a global awareness campaign with free resources for children and young people in rabies-endemic countries. - The campaign teaches three steps: wash the wound immediately with soap and running water, tell an adult or trusted person, and go to a healthcare facility for medical advice and rabies prevention. - GARC launched a Wash, Tell, Go Global Dance Challenge to promote the message through an original song and dance activity. - The campaign was announced in Malia, Crete, Greece, on Sept. 23, 2026.

The details: - The Wash, Tell, Go Global Dance Challenge invites children and young people to create their own dance inspired by the three steps. - Participants can join alone, with friends, as a family, or as a classroom or community group. - The challenge is designed to make rabies education more memorable and fun. - The new Wash, Tell, Go Education Pack is designed to make the messages accessible, memorable and engaging for children and young people. - The education pack can be used by teachers, community educators, parents, youth groups, health workers and others involved in rabies prevention. - Available resources include an animated video, lyrics, audio and a teacher’s booklet. - Kerenza Vlastou, GARC Community and Outreach Director, said music and movement can help turn a health message into something people remember and share. - Vlastou also said the materials are meant to put the message in the hands of educators, families and community leaders. - The original Wash, Tell, Go concept and song were created by Aisha D.A.

Between the lines: - GARC is using music, movement and youth participation to turn a public health warning into a behavior-change campaign. - The timing ahead of World Rabies Day suggests the launch is meant to amplify community engagement around a global rabies-prevention moment. - The theme for World Rabies Day 2026 is Stronger Together, which emphasizes collaboration and community action. - The campaign’s focus on simple actions reflects the challenge of getting children to respond quickly and correctly after animal contact.

What's next: - Communities are expected to use the education pack and dance challenge as World Rabies Day approaches on Sept. 28, 2026. - GARC says the two tools give communities new ways to learn, participate and share rabies-prevention messages. - More information about World Rabies Day 2026 is available here. - GARC can be reached at support@rabiesalliance.org for media inquiries. - Kerenza Vlastou can be reached at kerenza.vlastou@rabiesalliance.org. - GARC also listed its social channels at LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

The bottom line: - Wash, Tell, Go is a simple, child-focused push to turn rabies prevention into an easy-to-remember routine before exposure becomes a medical emergency.