28 September, World Rabies Day, is an opportunity to raise awareness about one of the dangerous yet preventable viral diseases. Rabies is a viral disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, usually through bites, scratches, or contact of an infected animal’s saliva with broken skin or mucous membranes.
Why is rabies serious?
Rabies is almost always fatal once the virus reaches the central nervous system and clinical symptoms appear. However, the important point is that death from rabies can be prevented with prompt action after contact with a suspect animal.
What should you do if bitten or scratched by an animal?
- 1. Wash the wound immediately. Clean the bite or scratch site thoroughly with plenty of water and soap for at least 15 minutes as soon as possible.
- 2. Do not treat the wound on your own.
- 3. Visit a medical centre as soon as possible.
Post-exposure prophylaxis, depending on the type of contact and individual conditions, may include proper wound cleaning, rabies vaccination, and in necessary cases, immunoglobulin or monoclonal antibodies. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog, cat, or another animal, even if the wound seems minor, do not delay immediate wound cleaning and medical evaluation. Prevention is not limited to post-bite care. Vaccination of dogs, public education, prevention of animal bites, and rapid access to medical care are important measures for the control and elimination of rabies.