Rabies is a viral disease of mammals most
often transmitted to humans through close contact with infected saliva via
bites and scratches. In rare cases, an animal can spread the virus when its
saliva comes in contact with a person’s mucous membranes (moist skin surfaces,
like the mouth, eyes, inner eyelids or vagina) or broken skin such as a cut,
scratch, bruise, or open wounds.
The rabies virus infects the central
nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death.
The early symptoms of rabies include fever,
loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, headache, pain or an unusual or unexplained
tingling, pricking or burning sensation (parastesia) and general body weakness.
As the virus spreads through the central
nervous system, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia,
anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucination,
agitation, hype- salivation (increase production of saliva), difficulty
swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death from cardio-respiratory
arrest usually occurs within days of the onset of these symptoms.
Facts on Rabies:
1. Rabies occurs in more than 150 countries and territories.
2. Rabies is present in all continents with the exception of Antarctica.
3. More than 55,000 people, mostly in Africa and Asia, die of Rabies every year
– a rate of one person every ten minutes.
4. Rabies is 100% preventable.
5. Wound cleansing and immunization within a few hours after exposure
to rabies can prevent the onset of symptoms and death.
6. Once the symptoms of the disease develop, rabies is nearly always
fatal.
7. No tests are available to diagnose rabies infection in the human
before the onset of clinical disease, and unless the rabies-specific signs of
hydrophobia or aerophobia are present, the clinical diagnosis may be difficult.
8. Human-to human transmission by bite is theoretically possible but
has never been confirmed.
9. Rabies may be contacted via transplantation of infected organ but not
through blood transmission.
10. Ingestion of raw meat or other tissues from infected animals is not
a source of human infection.
11. Uncontrolled rabies in dogs is the most important global source of
rabies in human.
12. Treatment after exposure (Post Exposure Prophylaxis – PEP) is highly
successful in preventing the disease if administered promptly, in general
within 10 days of infection. PEP is 100% effective against rabies.
13. Children are often at greatest risk of rabies. They are more likely
to be severely exposed through multiple bites in high risk sites of the body.
Recommended first aid procedure
If you have been bitten by a dog or any
other animal:
1. Immediate and thorough flushing of the wound for a minimum of 15
minutes with soap and water, detergent, alcohol (ethanol), iodine tincture or
povidone iodine and cover the bite with a clean bandage.
2. Immediately call your doctor or go to a nearby emergency department.
3. Vaccinating dogs, cats, rabies, and ferrets against rabies.
2. Keeping pets under supervision (maintain control of your pets to
reduce their exposure to wildlife).
3. Not handling wild animals or strays (spay or neuter to decrease the
numbers of stray animals).
4. Contacting an animal control officer upon observing a wild animal or
a stray, especially if the animal is acting strangely (Report any stray or ill
animal to animal control).
5. Washing the wound with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes, I bitten
by an animal, and contacting a healthcare provider to determine if
post-exposure prophylaxis is required.
From this day, begin to take the steps to
keep yourself and your family free from rabies.
Post a Comment