The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University has been selected as the host organization for the third annual Merial Rabies Day Symposium, based on the rabies education, vaccination, and fundraising efforts of its largest student group.

The Alliance for Rabies Control (ARC) selected Tufts University’s student chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association to host the event for having the highest percentage of its student body participate in World Rabies Day 2009. The event is sponsored by the ARC and Merial, and is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 25.

In the last year, Cummings School students have helped to raise awareness–and combat the incidence–of rabies through a six-site free rabies clinic for residents of low-income housing in Worcester, Mass. The effort, begun by veterinary students Karen Ann Alroy and Amy C. Vlazny, vaccinated 200 animals. In celebration of World Rabies Day last Sept. 28, students also coordinated a poster presentation, luncheon, and faculty-led summit about the state of rabies in Massachusetts, Tufts’ efforts to combat the disease throughout the world, and tips on prevention.

Every year, rabies kills more than 55,000 people worldwide and the costs associated with rabies are estimated to be more than $300 million, according to the Alliance for Rabies Control