The stray dog menace is nothing new, and it comes with dog bite cases.
Dog bites are on the rise in India. News and bone-chilling videos of children
attacked by a pack of dogs are nothing new. Dog bites is the main source of rabies,
which results in death. Bites from monkeys, cats, jackals, mongooses, and
livestock can spread rabies. Rabies is a life-threatening disease, with many
succumbing to the virus.
Causes
A zoonotic viral disease, rabies, can cause death. Children suffer the
most as dog bites are common. Rabies spread from animals to humans through
saliva. The infected saliva gets transmitted from a bite or a scratch from a
rabid animal. Research suggests infected saliva can cause much-needed damage to
humans.
Lyssavirus is the main cause of rabies. The virus can travel through the
nervous system to the brain and spinal cord and destroys nerve centers in the
brain.
There are reports of airborne transmission of rabies through bats. Bat
caves and bat excreta carry a rabies vaccine.
Symptoms
Affecting the nervous system takes a toll on an individual’s behavioral
patterns. The main symptom is staying away from water. Due to difficulty
swallowing, an infected patient gets hyperactive when seeing water. Hydrophobia
sets in due to severe rabies infection. Muscle spasms set in due to
hydrophobia.
The general symptoms are anxiety, agitation, fever, headache, vomiting,
etc.
Vaccination
Vaccination plays a vital part in controlling and spreading the virus.
Once bitten by a rabid animal, one should get vaccinated to prevent the
spreading of the virus.
Pet animals can also spread rabies. A vaccinated pet animal can prevent
the rabies from spreading. However, it is always recommended that you take an
anti-rabies vaccine if you are scratched or bitten by a pet.
Pre and post-exposure prophylaxis vaccination and booster shots are
widely used.
Prevention
India and other developing countries have a dog menace. Stray dog
menaces are common in various localities. They pose a threat to children and
adults alike. Rabies transmission is standard in areas where stray dogs are
present in large numbers.
Tourists visiting wildlife-notified zones should be aware of the lurking
dangers.
The area affected by a bite or a scratch must be washed with clean
water. This prevents the rabies from spreading faster. Visiting a health center
and opting for an anti-rabies vaccine is a must. Even vaccinated individuals
should opt for booster shots.
In case of severe rabies, hospital admission is the way out. Many
succumb to the virus—organ failure, psychosis, seizures, coma, and death result
due to severe rabies infection. Paralytic rabies is also common, where around
20 percent of the people get infected.
Outlook
Vaccinating stray and pet animals is the key to preventing rabies from
spreading. People visiting jungle areas must be aware if they encounter wild
animals. Sterilizing dogs can help in controlling the population and prevent
rabies from spreading. One should know the secluded places frequented by stray
and wild animals. This will help to avoid getting bitten or scratched.
More awareness is the key to preventing rabies. More so, anti-rabies vaccination can prevent fatality.
