Please submit your news to:

Mrs. Anissa Riley,

Office of External Affairs,School of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University

Tuskegee, AL 36088, (334)724-4509, FAX: (334)727-8177, Email: riley@tuskegee.edu

Tuskegee University Hosts Merial Rabies Symposium

Merial-sponsored forum brings together renowned experts to discuss rabies as a global health issue

by Anissa L. Riley

Registration is Free but space is limited. For more information and to register, visit the link www.worldrabiesday.org/EN/Events/Syposium-Tuskegee-University.html

Contact: Anissa L. Riley, Tuskegee University, 334-724-4509 riley@tuskegee.edu

Natasha Joseph, Merial Limited, 678-638-3681 natasha.joseph@merial.com

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (September 22, 2008) — In conjunction with the second annual World Rabies Day, the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine will host a Rabies Symposium that will bring together noted public health and animal health speakers, veterinarians and veterinary students to discuss this public health issue from a global, national and local perspective. The gathering, sponsored by Merial, is set for Oct. 18 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on Tuskegee’s campus. The goals of the symposium are to increase awareness of the public health impact of human and animal rabies, while encouraging its prevention through education and vaccination, thus leading to a decrease in the more than 55,000 rabies-related human deaths that are estimated to occur each year.

“Understanding the intersection of animal health and human health requires interdisciplinary collaboration and a deeper understanding of the oneness of medicine as well as health,” said Tsegaye Habtemariam, DVM PhD, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health at Tuskegee University. “Tuskegee is proud to be leading the way among veterinary schools by hosting the Merial Rabies Symposium, highlighting the animal and public health threat of rabies.”

Although World Rabies Day is a global event, the disease is also a local issue. In fact, recent data indicates that animal rabies cases continue to be reported in the U.S. in all 48 contiguous states and Alaska, plus in many states the number of cases may be on the rise. In 2006, southern U.S. states (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas) reported 2,247 cases of rabies in domestic and wild animals, up from 2,003 in the previous year.

Tuskegee University was selected to host the Merial Rabies Symposium after winning the 2007 Merial-sponsored contest between the student chapters of the American Medical Association (SAVMA) to raise funds for World Rabies Day. Tuskegee University had the highest percentage of students participating in World Rabies Day events, raising more than $1,000.

“As a global leader in the animal health care industry, Merial is in a unique position to sponsor the Merial Rabies Symposium,” said Hal Little, DVM, director of Veterinary Field Services at Merial. “We are committed to ensuring that veterinarians, veterinary students and public health officials across the globe have the tools they need to help prevent rabies transmission.”

Tuskegee University’s 2007 rabies prevention events included rabies vaccination clinics and, in conjunction with Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, two 5K races. Merial donated seed money and vaccinations to help the schools host such benefit events, educational programs and vaccination clinics.

“Tuskegee students are grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness for rabies within our communities through the World Rabies Day initiatives,” said Stefanie Clay, SAVMA president, Tuskegee University chapter. “Having the opportunity to further educate the public about the global threat of rabies by organizing events and hosting the first Merial Rabies Symposium allows us to demonstrate leadership among veterinary students and prepare us for the charge to positively impact the world of animal health as future veterinarians.”

About Tuskegee University

The Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health is composed of the School of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Nursing and Allied Health. The College is the only one of its kind in the U.S. where animal health and human health are interlinked and merged under one College within the framework of the One Health-One Medicine approach. The Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine was established in 1945, and graduated its first class of fully qualified veterinarians in 1949. Since then, it has graduated more than 70 percent of the African-American veterinarians in the U.S. Alumni hold key leadership positions in the government, military, academia, as well international arenas. For more information, please visit www.onemedicine.tuskegee.edu and www.tuskegee.edu.

About Merial

Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs more than 5,000 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2007 sales were nearly $2.5 billion. Merial Limited is a joint venture between Merck & Co., Inc. and sanofi-aventis. For more information, please visit www.merial.com.

About the Alliance for Rabies Control

The Alliance for Rabies Control is the foremost non-profit organization dedicated to preventing rabies throughout the world by raising awareness, supporting rabies control programs and promoting educational initiatives. Since 2006, the Alliance has welcomed more than 3,000 members and has provided outreach to over 180 countries. The Alliance is currently supporting local rabies prevention projects in China, Guatemala, Kenya, Peru and Vietnam. Its vision is a world where all countries have eliminated rabies. For more information, please see www.rabiescontrol.net.