September 28 is World Rabies Day.<\/p>\n
ER24 is urging people to educate themselves about the disease.<\/p>
Rabies, which affects animals and humans, is a deadly viral disease.<\/p>\n
The disease, which is vaccine preventable, is transmitted to humans mainly through the saliva of an infected animal (wild or domestic).<\/p>
This may occur through bites, scratches or when the animal licks broken skin on a person.<\/p>\n
Dogs are said to be the most common source of rabies.<\/p>\n
Rabies can be prevented in humans if the correct preventative treatment is administered following exposure to a rabid animal.<\/p>\n
However, people who have been infected with the disease and develop symptoms rarely survive as there is no effective treatment for rabies.<\/p>\n
Sadly, many of these fatalities are young children.<\/p>\n
Symptoms could appear a few weeks to years after being exposed to the disease.<\/p>\n
People with rabies could experience a number of signs including headache, fever, muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, anxiety, a fear of water, paralysis and seizures.<\/p>\n
Should a person be bitten or scratched by an animal they believe to be rabid, they should immediately wash the wound, for at least 15 minutes, with water and soap.<\/p>\n
It is important for anyone bitten or scratched, even in the case of minor injuries, to seek urgent medical attention.<\/p>\n
This includes, as a precaution, adults who received the rabies vaccination when they were young.<\/p>\n
Treatment of bites depends on the severity of the injury, as well as whether the dog was a stray or a pet that was or was not immunised.<\/p>\n
The patient will be treated based on the assumption that the dog was not immunised if the dog\u2019s status is unknown or if proof of immunisation cannot be provided.<\/p>\n
Preventative treatment following possible exposure to rabies is as follows:<\/p>\n
If the dog is immunised, the patient is given a tetanus vaccination and the wound is cleaned and dressed with dry dressings such as simple bandages or gauze.<\/p>\n
If the dog\u2019s status is unknown or if it was not immunised, a tetanus and anti-rabies vaccine is administered.<\/p>\n
The wound should be washed with tap water and dressed with a dry dressing.<\/p>\n
The patient will be given a tetanus vaccine and in cases where the dog was not immunised or where it is unknown, rabies immunoglobulin will be administered along with the anti-rabies vaccine.<\/p>\n
To reduce the chances of your dog being infected with rabies, ensure that they are vaccinated against the disease.<\/p>\n
This is a legal obligation on pet owners.<\/p>\n
If you see your dog behaving strangely or aggressively even though it is not being provoked, seek the help of professionals.<\/p>\n
Avoid stray animals.<\/p>\n
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Related articles:<\/p>\n
AACL offers welfare packages to needy pet owners to vaccinate against rabies<\/a><\/p>\n