Understanding Prevention and Treatment
BY KATHERINE L. MAGSANOC
March is Rabies Awareness Month, a critical time to emphasize the importance of preventing and treating this deadly viral disease.
Rabies is a preventable zoonotic disease — meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans — and it’s almost always fatal once symptoms appear. [1]
This article provides essential information on rabies prevention and treatment for both humans and animals.
Understanding Rabies
Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system. It is typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, often through a bite.
Wild animals are common carriers of rabies. Domestic animals, including dogs and cats, can also contract the disease if they are not vaccinated. [2]
Symptoms of Rabies in Animals and Humans
Animals
Symptoms can vary, but common signs include
- changes in behavior (aggression, excessive drooling, paralysis),
- difficulty swallowing
- unusual vocalizations
Animals may appear disoriented or unusually tame.
Humans
Early symptoms may resemble the flu
- fever
- headache
- muscle aches
As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms develop, including
- confusion
- anxiety
- hallucinations
- paralysis,
- hydrophobia (fear of water)
These symptoms usually appear within a few weeks to months after exposure.
Prevention: The Best Defense
Prevention is the most effective strategy against rabies. Here’s how to protect yourself and your pets
For Pets
- Vaccination: Regular rabies vaccination is crucial for all dogs and cats. Consult your veterinarian to establish a vaccination schedule appropriate for your pet’s age and health.
Ensure your pet’s vaccination is up-to-date. The rabies vaccine is highly effective and safe, significantly reducing the risk of your pet contracting and spreading the disease.
Unvaccinated animals pose a significant risk to both public and animal health.
Vaccinating your pet is not only a responsible act of pet ownership but also a crucial step in protecting your community. [3]
- Proper identification: Microchip your pets and ensure they wear a collar with current identification tags. This helps facilitate identification and contact in case of a bite incident.
- Supervise interactions: Supervise interactions between your pets and wild animals. Avoid contact with unfamiliar animals, especially if they appear sick or injured.
- Secure your pets: Keep your pets confined to your property to minimize their exposure to wild animals.
For Humans
- Avoid contact: Avoid contact with wild animals, stray animals, and animals you don’t know. Never handle or approach animals that appear sick or injured.
- Vaccination (post-exposure): If you’ve been bitten or scratched by an animal, seek immediate medical attention.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) involves a series of rabies vaccine injections and rabies immune globulin, which is highly effective in preventing the disease if administered promptly. [4]
- Wound care: If bitten or scratched, thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention immediately.
- Report animal bites: Report any animal bite incidents to your local animal control authorities.
This is crucial for several reasons: It allows for the monitoring of potentially rabid animals, helps prevent the spread of rabies to others, supports the victim’s access to appropriate medical care, and enables authorities to address potentially dangerous animals.
Failing to report a bite can have serious consequences, both for the victim and the community. The prompt reporting of bites enables public health officials to take swift action to prevent further spread and ensure appropriate treatment for those exposed.
Responsible Pet Ownership and Rabies Prevention
Responsible pet ownership plays a vital role in rabies prevention. Beyond vaccination, consider these key aspects:
- Licensing: Ensure your pets are licensed as required by your local regulations. Licensing helps track pet populations and facilitates contact tracing in case of a bite incident.
- Confinement: Keep your pets confined to your property, especially at night, to prevent them from interacting with wild animals or stray animals.
- Training: Train your pets to respond to commands, especially if they are allowed off-leash in certain areas. This can help prevent unexpected encounters with other animals.
- Neutering/Spaying: Neutering or spaying your pets can help reduce the overall pet population and minimize the risk of stray animals.
- Reporting: Report any unusual animal behavior to your local animal control authorities. Early detection of rabies cases is crucial for preventing further spread.
Treatment of Rabies
There is no effective treatment for rabies once symptoms appear. The disease is almost always fatal.
The focus is on prevention through vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis.
Rabies Awareness and Education
Raising awareness about rabies is crucial. Educating yourself, your family, and your community about rabies prevention and the importance of vaccination can save lives.
Support local initiatives that promote rabies control and vaccination programs.
Rabies is a severe and deadly disease, but it’s entirely preventable.
By taking proactive steps to vaccinate pets, avoid contact with wild animals, and seek immediate medical attention after any potential exposure, you can significantly reduce your risk of contracting rabies.
DISCLAIMER
This article provides general information and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
