Taming a Threat: Rabies Risks and Remedies

Pets have a special art of making their way into your heart. Their companionship is a source of immense joy, but sharing our living spaces with animals also means understanding the responsibilities and risks that come with it. 

Rabies, one of the oldest known zoonotic diseases, serves as an important reminder of the precautions we need to take for our safety and the well-being of animals. While this viral disease has a nearly 100% fatality rate if untreated, it’s also entirely preventable with the right knowledge and measures.

Yet unfortunately, according to the World Health Organisation, 59,000 people lose their lives because of rabies every year, most aged 15 years or under. What is alarming is that India alone bears 40% of the global burden, i.e., recorded 23600 cases of fatality due to rabies.        

Rabies: Facts You Must Know

• Rabies is mostly prevalent in Asia and Africa
• It is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal via bites, scratches, licks on broken skin and mucous membranes.
• Dog bites cause 99% of the rabies cases
• Rabies becomes untreatable and fatal once the virus reaches and affects the brain.
• There is about one death every day due to rabies
• Children under 15 account for 40% of rabies deaths
• Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating dogs in high-risk zones.

How to Prevent Rabies?

Rabies is 100% preventable if we join hands and,

• Spread awareness
• Vaccinate dogs in high-risk areas
• Promptly and proactively get ourselves vaccinated if we are bitten or scratched by a dog. 
• Pay close attention to a dog's body language to identify signs of rabies, which include unusual aggression or withdrawal, fever and lethargy, difficulty swallowing and excessive drooling. This can help you avoid potential bites and reduce the risk of rabies exposure.

1. Do not rub unsafe remedies, such as red chilli, mud, or cow dung, on the wound.
2. Do not tie the wound with bandage or cloth pieces.
3. Wash the wound with soap under running water for up to 15 minutes.
4. Apply an antiseptic solution to the wound and visit a doctor immediately.
5. Take an anti-rabies vaccine and injections of immunoglobulin shot
6. Take the course of injections as suggested by your doctor even if the wound is cured.

Loving animals is absolutely human, but it’s important to stay mindful and informed. Understanding the seriousness of rabies can help you take the right precautions. Never dismiss a dog bite or scratch as minor—it’s always better to seek medical advice to stay safe and healthy. Being aware and proactive can make all the difference! 

While being fond of dogs is completely normal, we hope that you are also aware of the risks associated with it! Share this article with the people who care about them and urge them to be careful!

Till next time...

Stay Safe and Stay Healthy!

Team Care Health