Most people associate ‘rabies’ with two things: dogs and injections. They do not know other important facts that they ought to. The Association for the Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI) estimates that 20,565 people die of rabies every year in India . Rabies is caused by the Rhabdoviridae family of viruses, which can lead to viral encephalitis. The spread of this virus is primarily through the bite of an infected animal. It is spread via the entry of saliva through broken skin, inhalation of the virus, transplacentally, transplantation of organs, or ingestion of the virus.
Rabies could manifest as different types:
Furious rabies: In this type, the person is hyperactive, aggressive, suffers from hydrophobia (a fear of water) and in some cases aerophobia (a fear of fresh air). A few days after these symptoms, the patient usually dies of cardio-respiratory failure.
Paralytic rabies: The progression of this type of rabies is far slower than its furious form. Amongst people who contract this disease, ~30% of them suffer from this type of rabies. In this type, 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.
There are five stages in which rabies infection proceeds:
The initial signs and symptoms of rabies are listed below:
This section has two subsections:
Causes
In India, the animals commonly responsible for rabies transmission are dogs and cats, followed by wild animals such as mongoose, foxes and jackals. Occasionally, animals such as horses, donkeys, monkeys, cows, goats, sheep and pigs can spread this virus.
The virus is primarily transmitted via the saliva, the bite or scratch of an infected animal, which can lead to an infection. Other animals such as rats can be infected by the virus; however, they usually die quickly and do not have the capability of spreading the disease. For mammals, the virus has a long incubation period, which allows them to spread the disease.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for rabies are listed below:
Animal vaccination:
It remains the method of choice to control and eradicate rabies. People with pets require to understand that a proper and careful vaccination schedule is required for the safety of the dog itself and their family. The cost of a post-bite treatment in humans is ~100 times more expensive than getting your dog vaccinated.
The primary vaccination schedule for dogs and cats comprises initial two doses of vaccine, i.e., one dose given at 3 months of age and the second given a month later. This is followed by a booster dose of vaccine every year. Thus, giving a vaccine before the animal is exposed to the virus is imperative in dogs because the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccination is not very successful in them.
Another important factor is that any pets that come in contact with wild animals are at risk. If your cat or dog has been bitten by a wild animal or has bites or scratches of unknown origin, please immediately consult the veterinarian.
Immunization or vaccination:
There is a pre-exposure vaccination (PrEV), which is a form of vaccination or immunization before the bite. Ideally, it should be given to veterinarians and staff, personnel in rabies laboratory, personnel working in rabies vaccine-manufacturing plants, wildlife rehabilitation and animal control workers, military personnel and armed forces, adventure travellers to canine rabies endemic countries, and children in canine rabies endemic high-risk areas. The regimen comprises three injections on the first, seventh and 28th day.
Moreover, pre-exposure vaccination reduces the number of injections of the post-exposure vaccination one has to take. After a bite, those who have received the full course of the pre-exposure vaccination, require only two doses of post exposure vaccine on days 0 and 3. The only precaution one should take is to avoid administering the rabies vaccine to pregnant women.
One can choose to incorporate the pre-exposure vaccination into a child’s vaccination programme.
The recommended dose is one at birth and second at two months of age or one at two months and second at four months of age. Both intramuscular (in the muscle of the arm) and intra-dermal (within the skin) routes are equally effective in protecting a person from infection for up to 5 years.
Identify a rabid animal:
The signs of rabies in dogs or cats are not that easy to notice; however, for an owner, there are few subtle changes that they should keep an eye out for - any change in normal behaviour suggesting either undue aggression or depression, running aimlessly and attacking others without provocation, becoming too drowsy and withdrawing to a corner, change in voice/bark, excessive salivation and refusal to feed or eating objects such as stone, paper, wood, and metal pieces.
Moreover, here are few things you need to remember:
While many people think that it is only when they get bitten that they at risk of contracting the disease; however, they need to remember that there are certain other things that can keep themselves and their family safe.
They should remember that if their dog or cat is sick, they should immediately seek the advice from their veterinarian. They should protect their pets from stray or wild animals.
If a person has any stray animals in their surroundings, they should immediately report it to their local health authority.
People should remember that they should not feed or handle wild animals, particularly those that appear aggressive or sick. Finally, people should not keep wild animals as pets.
Animal vaccination: It 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.
The primary vaccination schedule for the dogs and cats, consists of initial two doses of vaccine, that is, one dose given at 3 months of age and the second given a month later. This is followed by a booster dose of vaccine every year. Giving a vaccine before the animal is exposed to the virus is imperative in dogs because the Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) vaccination is not very successful in them.
Another important factor is that any pets that come in contact with wild animals are at risk. If your cat or dog has been bitten by a wild animal or has bites or scratches of unknown origin, consult the veterinarian immediately.
Immunization or vaccination: There is a pre-exposure vaccination (PrEV) which is a form of vaccination or immunization before the bite. It should ideally be given to veterinarians and staff, rabies laboratory personnel, personnel working in rabies vaccine manufacturing plants, wildlife rehabilitation and animal control workers, military personnel and armed forces, adventure travelers to canine rabies endemic countries, children in canine rabies endemic high risk areas. The regimen consists of three injections on the first, seventh and 28th day.
Pre-exposure vaccination also reduces the number of injections of the post-exposure vaccination one has to take. After a bite, those who have received the full course of the pre-exposure vaccination, require only two doses of post exposure vaccine on days 0 & 3. The only precaution one should take is to avoid administering the rabies vaccine to pregnant women.
One can choose to incorporate the pre-exposure vaccination into a child’s vaccination programme. The recommended dose is one at birth and second at two months of age or one at two months and second at four months of age. Both intramuscular (in the muscle of the arm) and intra-dermal (within the skin) routes are equally effective in protecting a person from infection for up to 5 years.
Identify a rabid animal: The signs of rabies in dogs or cats are not that easy to notice, but for an owner there are few subtle changes that they should keep an eye out for - any change in normal behavior suggesting either undue aggression or depression, running aimlessly and attacking others without provocation, becoming too drowsy and withdrawing to a corner, change in voice/bark, excessive salivation and refusal to feed or eating objects like stone, paper, wood, metal pieces etc.
Apart from this, here are few things you need to keep in mind -
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 immediately 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 about 10 things in the environment that can harm you during your pregnancy.
Because the virus is usually reported only in the brain tissue, there is no method to diagnose the presence of rabies infection in human beings before the onset of symptoms
For diagnosing rabies, common diagnostic tests such as complete blood count, chest X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, microbial cultures, and electrolytes are used; however, these tests are not specific. The specific tests to detect rabies infection are polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cerebrospinal test for antibodies (CSF), and samples such as tears, saliva, and tissue biopsies, which can be conclusive of rabies.
Any person who gets exposed to animal bites or scratches or licks on broken skin must visit a doctor for post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) without waiting for the symptoms of rabies to develop.
Observing the dog for 10 days without initiating treatment is risky. It is mandatory to start treatment soon after exposure. The vaccination must be immediately started irrespective of the status of the biting animal. It comprises rabies vaccination for 3–5 doses on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28. As per law, an animal bite should be considered as ‘medical urgency’ and treated with due care.
There are no specific suggestions for lifestyle management.
Prognosis
Unvaccinated victims of babies progressed with furious rabies encephalomyelitis have mortality within a few days; however, patients with paralytic rabies can live up to few weeks without intensive care.
Without receiving vaccine, the prognosis of rabies is very poor. Note that prognosis of American bat rabies is less harmful in humans.
Complications
Complications caused by rabies-related infection are listed below:
There are no alternative treatments for rabies.
World Rabies Day: The risk of infections, especially Rabies, underscores the importance of seeking prompt medical attention after animal bites and scratches.
As we join hands to observe World Rabies Day, let's remember that rabies is not an isolated threat but a global concern that affects pets, strays, and humans alike.
Dr Mayur Manji Mewada shares that around seventy thousand human deaths occur worldwide due to dog bites annually. Most of these deaths occur in rural areas and developing countries.
Once inside the nervous system, the virus causes acute inflammation of the brain, and coma and this will lead to the death of the patient.
The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan will run the programme in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisation to impart education on the subject in its over 1,100 schools in the country.
The Drug Controller General of India is likely to seek an explanation from the Chinese manufacturer for supplying sub-standard medicine for rabies.
Vaccinating Rabies'prime reservoir dogs is a good place to start.
The dog severely bit Rincy on her forehead and lips, and even after taking the vaccination immediately she died of rabies.
Salivating too much? There could be an underlying cause according to doctors.
Wondering how to treat the wound or whether you will get rabies? Our expert solves all your doubts.
PhotosYou will be shocked to know how many diseases your pets can give you.
IIL organized free Vaccination Camps in 100 centres across the country through veterinary dispensaries. IIL organizes these camps every year on July 6th on World Zoonosis Day.
World Rabies Day: 45% global deaths are caused by rabies
World Rabies Day 2014: Rabies can kill, but all you need to stay safe is awareness
Police told to allow rabies victim's family to pay last respects
There is more to rabies than those scary injections and dog bites. Click here to know about some of the often ignored facts about the disease.
Despite major advancements in treating rabies victims, there are still many myths and misconceptions about the disease.
Taiwan on high alert after rabies outbreak!
Taiwan reports 39 animals infected with rabies
Mass rabies vaccination drive at Madurai
Your most common questions about rabies answered (Expert interview)
Altered tobacco plant could cure rabies
Rabies control on government’s priority list
World Rabies Day: The risk of infections, especially Rabies, underscores the importance of seeking prompt medical attention after animal bites and scratches.
As we join hands to observe World Rabies Day, let's remember that rabies is not an isolated threat but a global concern that affects pets, strays, and humans alike.
Dr Mayur Manji Mewada shares that around seventy thousand human deaths occur worldwide due to dog bites annually. Most of these deaths occur in rural areas and developing countries.
Once inside the nervous system, the virus causes acute inflammation of the brain, and coma and this will lead to the death of the patient.
The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan will run the programme in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisation to impart education on the subject in its over 1,100 schools in the country.
The Drug Controller General of India is likely to seek an explanation from the Chinese manufacturer for supplying sub-standard medicine for rabies.
Vaccinating Rabies'prime reservoir dogs is a good place to start.
The dog severely bit Rincy on her forehead and lips, and even after taking the vaccination immediately she died of rabies.
Salivating too much? There could be an underlying cause according to doctors.
Wondering how to treat the wound or whether you will get rabies? Our expert solves all your doubts.
IIL organized free Vaccination Camps in 100 centres across the country through veterinary dispensaries. IIL organizes these camps every year on July 6th on World Zoonosis Day.
World Rabies Day: 45% global deaths are caused by rabies
World Rabies Day 2014: Rabies can kill, but all you need to stay safe is awareness
Police told to allow rabies victim's family to pay last respects
There is more to rabies than those scary injections and dog bites. Click here to know about some of the often ignored facts about the disease.
Despite major advancements in treating rabies victims, there are still many myths and misconceptions about the disease.
Taiwan on high alert after rabies outbreak!
Taiwan reports 39 animals infected with rabies
Mass rabies vaccination drive at Madurai
Your most common questions about rabies answered (Expert interview)
Altered tobacco plant could cure rabies
Rabies control on government’s priority list
PhotosYou will be shocked to know how many diseases your pets can give you.
