Rabies is basically a fatal viral disease. The word 'Rabies'
originated from a Latin word 'rave' which means 'be mad'. The beginning of this
nomenclature from the behavior of rabies-affected animals or patients.
Generally, warm-blooded animals such as dogs, cats, foxes, monkeys etc. are the
carriers of rabies virus. Rabies can be spread if any affected animals scratch
or bite other animals or humans. Affected animal's saliva can also be
responsible for the transmission of rabies if the saliva comes into contact
with the mouth, eyes, or nose.
In most countries, dog bites are the main causes
of rabies (about 99% cases). But in the Americas, it is bat bites which are the
main source of rabies infections in humans.
Hydrophobia that means fear of
water, hyperactivity, excitable behavior, and sometimes aerophobia (fear of
fresh or of drafts air) are the signs of rabies. During drinking water, there
may be a severe constriction, including pain in the muscles of the upper part
of the esophagus. For this reason, a rabies-affected person fears water.Death
is inevitable for both rabies-affected animals and humans.
According to Greek mythology, humans and animals are being
infected with rabies from four thousand years ago. But till today, no medicine
has been invented to cure the disease. In the past, there was no vaccine to
prevent rabies. On July 6, 1885, a French scientist Louis Pasteur invented
vaccines for the prevention of rabies.
The existence of rabies disease is
worldwide. Every year, more than fifty-five thousand people die of rabies
worldwide. Among the deaths, 95% are of the developing countries in Asia and
Africa. Among them, 31,000 people die in Asia, and 20,000 people die in India.
The rural people of Asia and Africa, especially children,
under the age of 15 and old people are more vulnerable to rabies. Children play
with animals and adults have less ability to resist animals.
Signs of people with rabies:
- Pain in the place of the bite;
- Feeling of fever, pain during swallow, and convulsions;
- Reluctant to drink water, afraid to see water;
- Very dense sticky saliva falls;
- Become angry suddenly;
- Later, the patient becomes unconscious and paralyzed.
Signs of dogs with rabies:
- If a dog gets infected with rabies, it starts behaving like a mad;
- Tries to bite the man or animal in front of itself;
- Always barks;
- Falls saliva from the mouth;
- The dog stops eating and becomes weak and dies within a few days.
Rabies prevention awareness:
Every year, World Rabies Day is observed on 28 September
worldwide. The main goal of this day is to eliminate rabies by 2030. Focusing
the goal, the 2017 World Rabies Day theme has been determined, Rabies: Zero by
30.
Rabies is very scary. But unfortunately, there is less awareness among
people about this disease.If the symptoms of the disease are seen once, it
turns to a serious condition, which leads to death. Therefore it is necessary
to take steps to prevent this disease.
What to do:
- Be aware of the animals that spread rabies such as dogs, cats, foxes etc. Especially, keep children away from these animals.
- Give vaccine to domestic dogs and cats regularly.
- If the dog bites, the injured place should be washed with soap water for at least 10 minutes. Never cover the wound with bandages, cloths or anything else.
- If a dog or another animal bites or scratches, which may cause rabies, vaccination should be taken as soon as possible.
Sources of Information: Wikipedia, who.int,
info.totthoapa.gov.bd.
