September 28 is World Rabies Day
Rabies is an infection that is most often thought to be spread through a dog bite. While it is known to kill and be incurable, the disease is still rampant in India and continues to be a threat. World Rabies Day is recognised as a special day by the United Nations and has been celebrated since 2007 in an attempt to spread awareness about the disease. So, to help the cause, here is everything you might need to know about the disease.
Facts you should know about the disease
1. Rabies is incurable
It is imperative that a person who has suffered a bite from an animal visit a doctor immediately to get the vaccine. This is because rabies is incurable once a person starts showing symptoms of the disease, which may be any time from one to three months. Although in rare cases a person might notice the symptoms as early as one week or as late as one year.
2.Rabies could manifest as different types
In furious rabies, the person is hyperactive, aggressive, suffers from hydrophobia (a fear of water) and in some cases aerophobia (a fear of flying). A few days after these symptoms present, the patient usually dies of cardio-respiratory failure.
In paralytic rabies, the progression is far slower than its furious form. Amongst the people who contract the disease, about 30 percent of them suffer from this type of rabies. Here the patient’s muscles gradually get paralyzed starting from the site of the bite. This then slowly progresses leading to a coma and then death.
3. Rabies can be transmitted from all mammals including cats, monkeys and not just dogs.
Transmitted mainly through the saliva, the bite or scratch of an infected animal can lead to infection. Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not the only animals that spread rabies. All mammals like cats, cows, horses, monkeys and bats can carry the virus. Other animals like rats also can be infected by the virus, but usually die quickly and do not have the capability of spreading the disease. In the case of mammals, the virus has a long incubation period that allows them to spread the disease. (Read more: Top 10 facts about rabies you didn’t know)
Apart from that, there are a few things that we as Indians need to know. Here are excerpts from an interview with Dr Gupta, rabies specialist in Mumbai.
Which animals spread rabies in India?
In India, the animals commonly responsible for transmission of rabies are dogs and cats followed by wild animals like mongoose, foxes and jackals. Occasionally animals like horses, donkeys, monkeys, cows, goats, sheep and pigs can also spread the virus.
How can people control rabies in dogs?
Animal vaccination remains the method of choice to control and eradicate rabies. People with pets need to understand that a proper and careful vaccination schedule is necessary for the safety of the dog itself and their family. The cost of a post-bite treatment in humans is about one hundred times more costly than getting your dog vaccinated.
What precautions should people take when it comes to rabies?
While many people think that it is only when they get bitten that they at risk of contracting the disease, but they need to remember that there are some other things that can be done to keep themselves and their family safe. They should remember that if their dog or cat is sick, they should seek the advice from their veterinarian immediately. They should protect their pets from stray or wild animals. If a person has any stray animals in their surroundings, they should immidiately report it to their local health authority. People should remember that they should not feed or handle wild animals especially those that appear particularly aggressive or sick. And finally people should not keep wild animals as pets. (Read the rest of the interview here)
You may also like to read:
- You could die due to the misconceptions about rabies!
- Top 10 facts about rabies you didn’t know
- Your most common questions about rabies answered
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