<span style="color: #222222;">Over 300 million people are living with one or more of around 6,000 identified rare diseases around the world according to a study. Currently, around &nbsp;3.5 – 5.9 per cent of the worldwide population are affected by the same.<br />” <br />”72 per cent&nbsp;of rare diseases are genetic while others are the result of infections (bacterial or viral), allergies and environmental causes. 70 per cent&nbsp;of genetic rare diseases start in childhood.<br />” <br />” The Rare diseases awareness campaign targets primarily the general public and also seeks to raise awareness amongst policymakers, public authorities, industry representatives, researchers, health professionals and anyone who has a genuine interest in rare diseases.<br />” <br />” The first Rare Disease Day was observed in 2008 on 29 February, a ‘rare’ date that happens only once every four years. Ever since then, Rare Disease Day has taken place on the last day of February, a month known for having a ‘rare’ number of days.</span><br />” &nbsp;