 What is Rabies?
Rabies is a virus that attacks the brain. It is transmitted from animal to human and animal to animal.
How does the Rabies virus is transmitted?
The rabies virus stations itself in the saliva of an infected animal. These infected animals spread the virus to others either by biting or scratching. However the virus can also spread by other modes like infected saliva coming in contact with open cuts or wounds, and with the mouth, eyes and nose.
What is the incidence of Rabies in India?
It is estimated that each year 50,000 people die from rabies in the world, of which India alone reports around 20,565 deaths annually.
Who are at risk for Rabies in India?
Human rabies is most common in people younger than 15 years, with about 40% cases found in children mainly in 5-14 year age group. Majority of rabies victims are males with nearly 96% of cases due to bites from stray, ownerless dogs.
What are the signs of rabies in an animal?
The first sign of rabies is usually a change in the animal's behavior. The signs include unusual aggression, impaired locomotion, and varying degree of paralysis (frequently beginning in the hind legs or throat), excessive salivation in animals. A rabid animal usually dies within one week after showing signs of the disease. However, in human beings apart from salivation, fear of light and water are also observed.
What is the treatment for Rabies?
There is no treatment for Rabies. The only treatment for rabies is to protection through vaccination.
How can a person get protected from Rabies?
There are two forms of protecting from rabies.
- Pre-exposure immunization – This is given to help protect people who are at high risk because of their occupation (Veterinarians, animal handlers, Laboratory workers) and traveling to countries which is endemic for rabies.
- Post-exposure immunization – This is given to anyone who has been exposed to the rabies virus. (i.e. if scratched or bitten by an animal that may be rabid).
What is the schedule for pre-exposure & post-exposure immunization schedule?
- Pre-exposure immunization consists of administering 3 doses of rabies vaccine through IM route on Day 0, Day 7, Day 28, followed by a booster at 1 year and at 5 years. Day 0 represents the elected date of first dose of vaccine administration. Pre-exposure vaccination should be delayed when a person is ill with fever.
- Post-exposure immunization consist of administering 5 doses of rabies vaccine through IM route on Day 0, Day 3, Day 7, Day 14 and Day 28. If the wound is severe (Category-III), then along with the Day 0 dose of the rabies vaccine, Rabies immunoglobulin should be infiltrated in and around the wound.
What should a person do if an animal bites?
A person should undertake Post-Exposure prophylaxis after an animal bite. The main aim of Post-exposure Treatment (PET) is to prevent the attachment of the rabies virus to the peripheral nerves. It includes
- Local treatment of the wound.
- Systemic treatment.
- Observing the animal behavior for prescribed period.
Local treatment of the wound involves immediate washing of the wound with water under running tap for 10min, followed by cleaning of the wound with soap solution. These steps can reduce the risk of developing rabies up to 90%. The patient should report to the doctor as early as possible for systemic treatment (i.e. rabies vaccine administration) and for any other medical treatment if necessary.
Are all rabies vaccines are safe?
All rabies vaccines are safe. Local reactions such as redness, swelling and tenderness have been recorded within 48 hours after the injection. Mild fever, malaise and flu-like symptoms may also occur. Various studies have demonstrated that Vero cell rabies vaccines are safe even in pregnancy.
Chromatographically purified Vero cell rabies vaccine developed indigenously in the county matches to the other rabies vaccines with respect to effectiveness, with a better safety profile. |
