MARCH is rabies awareness month, and might as well be, the month when most cases of rabies occur, for the simple reason that children of elementary ages are on vacation, thus they go out of the house and play and the likelihood of also meeting astray animals especially dogs, is very high.
The Department of Health war-cry is a rabies–free Philippines by year 2020. Wow, a tall order indeed. Meanwhile, let’s get to know more about rabies.
Rabies is a viral infection of the nervous system that causes irritation and inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. The virus is present in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted to animals or humans by biting, scratching or mere licking, especially if there is a break in the skin. The virus travels from the site of inoculation -- bite, scratch, lick -- along the nerves to the spinal cord and unto the brain where it multiplies, with a distinct inclusion bodies called Negri bodies -- the presence of which in an autopsied individual/animal confirms rabies. From the brain, the virus travels down into the salivary glands where it is transmitted through a bite.
Although dogs are frequently the source of infection for humans, other animals can transmit the virus -- cats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, with bats as the most rabid. Some big rats, not the smaller mice, have been known to be also rabid.
As of the moment, countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia have high incidence of rabies because it is not routine for the locals to bring their pets to the vet med for vaccination.
Signs and symptoms usually begin 30 to 50 days after infection but the incubation period -- appearance of first symptoms -- maybe shorter for bites in the face, neck, hands because of their proximity to the brain.
Typically, there’s weakness and eventual paralysis of the legs which
ascend to the arms. Later, mental depression, with restlessness, a sick feeling and fever. Then there is increased uncontrollable excitement.
This irritability is due to parts of the brain that control swallowing and breathing, thus with the spasm of muscles of the throat and neck, swallowing is excruciatingly painful that the patient accumulates copious amounts of saliva.
Attempts to drink water induce these spasms, thus the disease is also called hydrophobia -- “fear of water” -- the patient is NOT afraid of water, he/she just doesn’t want to drink and swallow. Death usually occurs within three to 10 days.
Treating the bite immediately is the most valuable preventive measure. Clean the bite with soap under running water, then paint it with antiseptic povidone iodine, then cover it with gauze and bring the patient to the clinic or hospital.
For those with no previous immunization, rabies vaccine is given on the day of exposure and on days 3, 7, 14 and 28. Some doctors dealing with big wounds usually give gammaglobulins, half injected, with the other half unto the site of bite.
Pet lovers, especially of dogs and cats, you may bring the animals to the vet med for their yearly vaccination. And for you, you may also have or get a preventive prophylactic vaccine against rabies from your family doctor. Let us all be responsible pet owners and help our government agencies achieve their dream for a rabies free Philippines soon. Cheers.