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YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF RABIESRABIES IS A DANGEROUS DISEASE

YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF RABIES

The fact that India accounts for nearly 80 percent of the deaths world wide due to the dreaded disease rabies is really alarming. The cent percent fatal viral infection claims around 30,000 casualties in the country every year.

Rabies is perhaps the only viral disease, which can be prevented by vaccination after the exposure has occurred. However, once the symptoms develop the patient cannot be saved.

HOW THE INFECTION SPREADS

It is a viral infection of warm-blooded animals and spreads from animals to humans. The virus attacks the nervous system. The infection spreads from contact with the saliva, body fluids, or tissue of infected animals. The major risk of the disease comes from all mammals, but in particular from pets--mostly cats and dogs The rabies virus travels to the brain (through nerves inside the brain), reproduces and then travels back through the nerves to most parts of the body.

Eventually, it reaches the salivary glands of the infected animal where it is released into the saliva in the mouth. The transmission to man occurs when rabid animals with virus in their saliva, bite people. The virus can also enter the body and reach nerve cells through mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth, or intestine.

Once the Rabies virus enters the body it travels to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Once the infection is established in the brain, the virus travels down the nerves from the brain and multiplies in many different organs.

INCUBATION PERIOD OF RABIES VIRUS

In humans the incubation period (the time between initial contact with the virus and onset of the disease) generally ranges from two to eight weeks. In rare cases, it can vary from 10 days to 2 years or even longer. The incubation period is shorter in children and in people exposed to a large dose of the rabies virus. The dose of virus depends on the size, severity and location of an animal bite or scratch.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF RABIES

For the first 2-10 days the patient may have a fever, headache, not feel well, have decreased appetite and vomiting.  There may also be pain, itching or numbness at the site of the wound.

In the next stage, patients often develop difficulty swallowing (hence the term "foaming at the mouth" due to inability to swallow their saliva).  Even the sight of water terrifies the patient (hence the term hydrophobic or fear of water).

Some patients become agitated and disoriented, while others become paralysed.  Patients either die during this stage of the illness or go into a coma and die from further complications.

TREATMENT OF RABIES

There is no known, effective treatment for rabies once the symptoms of the illness have developed and the major emphasis is on preventing it. This can be achieved by:

• Immunising domestic cats and dogs currently against rabies.
• Teaching children not to approach or play with stray animals of any kind.
• Even though some of them may look cute and cuddly, they can spread very serious diseases.

• Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
• Call your doctor for advice

• What type of animal was involved (domestic pet or a strayanimal)?
• Was the attack provoked (was the child playing with or teasing the animal) or unprovoked?
• What type of exposure was there (cut, scratch, licking of an open wound), on what part of the body did the exposure occur (face, hand, etc.), were there one or multiple exposures?
• Has the animal been immunized against rabies (does not apply to stray animals)?  The date of the most current vaccine is more helpful than simple saying the animal's shots are "up to date".
• Is the animal sick or well?  If the animal is "sick", what symptoms does it have?
• Is the animal available for testing or quarantine?

Have your pets vaccinated against rabies. Any pets, which come in contact
with stray animals, are at risk.

If your cat or dog has been bitten or attacked by a stray animal or has bites or scratches of unknown origin, have it examined by your veterinarian.

If your cat or dog has bitten a person seek your veterinarian's advice.

If your cat or dog is sick, seek the advice of your veterinarian.

Protect your pets from stray animals. Keep your pets from running loose.

Report stray animals to your local health or municipal department.

Do not feed or handle stray animals especially those that appear aggressive or sick. Never keep a stray animal as a pet.

Today much more safe and less painful post-exposure rabies vaccines are available which are more effective than the conventional vaccines where 14 injections were administered.