September 28 – World Rabies Day

Rabies Prevention

Rabies is an infectious disease with predominant damage to the central nervous system, accompanied by convulsions, spasms of the pharyngeal and respiratory muscles, often with a fatal outcome.

Wild animals such as wolves, foxes, raccoons, badgers, bears, squirrels, and others are more commonly affected by rabies. Domestic animals and humans become infected by them through bites or saliva contact.

The rabies virus is present in the saliva of an infected animal. During a bite, the virus enters the wound along with the saliva. It is very dangerous for the saliva of an infected animal to come into contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, nose, as well as the skin, which may have minor, invisible damage.

Among humans, rabies is usually spread by domestic animals. Stray dogs and cats pose a particular danger.

In recent years, foxes have become the most frequent source of disease transmission.

Signs of Rabies in Animals

The most characteristic signs are salivation, hydrophobia, aggressiveness, paralysis, but sometimes these may be absent.

In dogs and cats, rabies occurs in two forms:

furious and dumb.

An animal with the furious form becomes aggressive, hides in corners, frequently changes its location, runs away from home, and gnaws on inedible objects.

The voice becomes hoarse or is completely lost.

The animal becomes irritable, refuses food and

water, does not respond to calls, and disobeys its owner.

The tail and lower jaw droop, excessive salivation occurs,

and a wobbly gait appears.

The animal can silently attack and bite without barking.

Another form of rabies is more dangerous - the paralytic form.

The main symptoms of the disease may be mild. It is recognized late, and precautionary measures are not taken.

Ways of human infection

The causative agent of rabies is a specific virus contained in the saliva of a sick animal.

Human infection can occur:

Through a bite from a sick animal, when the virus enters the wound along with the animal's saliva.

If saliva gets onto the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth, or damaged skin.

Scratches inflicted by claws are very dangerous: animals often lick their paws, so a sufficient amount of the infectious agent remains on their claws to cause infection.

Rabies can be contracted from an outwardly healthy animal, as in some cases, rabies in animals can be asymptomatic (in dogs, the first signs of the disease appear 3-6 weeks after infection).

In all such contacts with animals, it is necessary to:

Wash the wound, abrasion, or scratch with plenty of running water and soap.

Treat with iodine tincture.

Apply a sterile dressing.

Seek immediate medical attention.

Course of the disease in humans

Incubation period (4-6 weeks), during which the virus travels from the site of entry into the body to the brain and causes inflammation. In some cases, this period is shortened to 1-2 weeks or extended to 1 year or more.

Initially, symptoms of general malaise appear: fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, feeling of weakness.

A strong sense of anxiety gradually increases, itching, tingling, and aching pains appear along the nerves closest to the bite site.

Further, the disease progresses to the stage of pronounced clinical manifestations. Hydrophobia develops – painful convulsive contractions of the pharyngeal and laryngeal muscles when trying to drink water, upon seeing water, or upon hearing the sound of running water.

Prevention

Strictly adhere to the rules for keeping dogs, cats, and other animals, and vaccinate them annually against rabies.

Avoid contact with wild and stray domestic animals;

Be vigilant in case of unusual behavior or causeless aggressive behavior of any domestic animal and report it to the sanitary service.

If animal carcasses are found, do not touch them, do not skin them, and be sure to report them to the veterinary service.

Do not kill a domestic animal that has bitten or scratched a person; it must be placed under 10-day observation.

If bitten by any animal, seek medical attention immediately.

Rabies vaccinations remain the only means of preventing this dangerous disease. The vaccination course consists of five to six injections according to a specific schedule. Unauthorized breaks in vaccination, discontinuation or shortening of the course are unacceptable, otherwise the vaccinations will be ineffective.

Antirabic assistance can be obtained at the healthcare institution "Rossony Central District Hospital".

State Institution "Rossony Republican Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology", 2023.