Rabies

Fact Sheet
Updated September 2017

Key facts
Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease which occurs in more than 150 countries and territories.
Dogs are the main source of human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99% of all rabies transmissions to humans.
Rabies elimination is feasible through vaccination of dogs and prevention of dog bites.
Infection causes tens of thousands of deaths every year, mainly in Asia and Africa.
40% of people bitten by suspect rabid animals are children under 15 years of age.
Immediate, thorough wound washing with soap and water after contact with a suspect rabid animal is crucial and
can save lives.
WHO, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) have established a global United Against
Rabies collaboration to provide a common strategy to achieve "Zero human rabies deaths by 2030".

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that is almost always fatal following the onset of clinical symptoms. In up to
99% of cases, domestic dogs are responsible for rabies virus transmission to humans. Yet, rabies can affect both
domestic and wild animals. It is spread to people through bites or scratches, usually via saliva.
Rabies is present on all continents, except Antarctica, with over 95% of human deaths occurring in the Asia and
Africa regions.
Rabies is one of the neglected tropical diseases that predominantly affects poor and vulnerable populations who
live in remote rural locations. Although effective human vaccines and immunoglobulins exist for rabies, they are
not readily available or accessible to those in need. Globally, rabies deaths are rarely reported and children
between the ages of 514 years are frequent victims. Treating a rabies exposure, where the average cost of rabies
post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is US$ 40 in Africa, and US$ 49 in Asia, can be a catastrophic financial burden
on affected families whose average daily income is around US$ 12 per person.
Every year, more than 15 million people worldwide receive a post-bite vaccination. This is estimated to prevent
hundreds of thousands of rabies deaths annually.
Prevention
Eliminating rabies in dogs
Rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccinating dogs is the most cost-effective strategy for preventing
rabies in people. Dog vaccination reduces deaths attributable to rabies and the need for PEP as a part of dog bite
patient care.
Awareness on rabies and preventing dog bites
Education on dog behaviour and bite prevention for both children and adults is an essential extension of a rabies
vaccination programme and can decrease both the incidence of human rabies and the financial burden of treating
dog bites. Increasing awareness of rabies prevention and control in communities includes education and
information on responsible pet ownership, how to prevent dog bites, and immediate care measures after a bite.
Engagement and ownership of the programme at the community level increases reach and uptake of key
messages.
Preventive immunization in people
 Human rabies vaccines exist for pre-exposure immunization. These are recommended for people in certain high-
risk occupations such as laboratory workers handling live rabies and rabies-related (lyssavirus) viruses; and
people (such as animal disease control staff and wildlife rangers) whose professional or personal activities might
bring them into direct contact with bats, carnivores, or other mammals that may be infected.
Pre-exposure immunization is also recommended for travellers to rabies-affected, remote areas who plan to
spend a lot of time outdoors involved in activities such as caving or mountain-climbing. Expatriates and long-
term travellers to areas with a high rabies exposure risk should be immunized if local access to rabies biologics
is limited. Finally, immunization should also be considered for children living in, or visiting, remote, high-risk
areas. As they play with animals, they may receive more severe bites, or may not report bites.
Symptoms
The incubation period for rabies is typically 13 months but may vary from 1 week to 1 year, dependent upon
factors such as the location of virus entry and viral load. Initial symptoms of rabies include a fever with pain and
unusual or unexplained tingling, pricking, or burning sensation (paraesthesia) at the wound site. As the virus
spreads to the central nervous system, progressive and fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord develops.
There are two forms of the disease:
1. People with furious rabies exhibit signs of hyperactivity, excitable behaviour, hydrophobia (fear of water) and
sometimes aerophobia (fear of drafts or of fresh air). Death occurs after a few days due to cardio-respiratory
arrest.
2. Paralytic rabies accounts for about 30% of the total number of human cases. This form of rabies runs a less
dramatic and usually longer course than the furious form. Muscles gradually become paralyzed, starting at the
site of the bite or scratch. A coma slowly develops, and eventually death occurs. The paralytic form of rabies is
often misdiagnosed, contributing to the under-reporting of the disease.
Diagnosis
Current diagnostic tools are not suitable for detecting rabies infection before the onset of clinical disease, and
unless the rabies-specific signs of hydrophobia or aerophobia are present, clinical diagnosis may be difficult.
Human rabies can be confirmed intra-vitam and post mortem by various diagnostic techniques that detect whole
viruses, viral antigens, or nucleic acids in infected tissues (brain, skin, urine, or saliva).
Transmission
People are usually infected following a deep bite or scratch from an animal with rabies, and transmission to
humans by rabid dogs accounts for 99% of cases. Africa and Asia have the highest rabies burden in humans and
account for 95% of rabies deaths, worldwide.
In the Americas, bats are now the major source of human rabies deaths as dog-mediated transmission has mostly
been broken in this region. Bat rabies is also an emerging public health threat in Australia and Western Europe.
Human deaths following exposure to foxes, raccoons, skunks, jackals, mongooses and other wild carnivore host
species are very rare, and bites from rodents are not known to transmit rabies.
Transmission can also occur when infectious material usually saliva comes into direct contact with human
mucosa or fresh skin wounds. Human-to-human transmission through bites is theoretically possible but has
never been confirmed.
Contraction of rabies through inhalation of virus-containing aerosols or through transplantation of infected
organs is rare. Contracting rabies through consumption of raw meat or animal-derived tissue has never been
confirmed in humans.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is the immediate treatment of a bite victim after rabies exposure. This prevents
virus entry into the central nervous system, which results in imminent death. PEP consists of:
extensive washing and local treatment of the wound as soon as possible after exposure;
a course of potent and effective rabies vaccine that meets WHO standards; and
the administration of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), if indicated.
 Effective treatment soon after exposure to rabies can prevent the onset of symptoms and death.
Extensive wound washing
This involves first-aid of the wound that includes immediate and thorough flushing and washing of the wound
for a minimum of 15 minutes with soap and water, detergent, povidone iodine or other substances that kill the
rabies virus.
Recommended PEP
Depending on the severity of the contact with the suspected rabid animal, administration of PEP is recommended
as follows (see table):

Table: Categories of contact and recommended post-exposure prophylaxis

(PEP)

Categories of contact with suspect rabid Post-exposure prophylaxis

animal measures

Category I touching or feeding animals,

licks on intact skin None

Category II nibbling of uncovered skin,

minor scratches or abrasions without Immediate vaccination and local
bleeding treatment of the wound

Category III single or multiple transdermal Immediate vaccination and

bites or scratches, licks on broken skin; administration of rabies
contamination of mucous membrane with immunoglobulin; local treatment
saliva from licks, contacts with bats. of the wound

All category II and III exposures assessed as carrying a risk of developing rabies require PEP. This risk is
increased if:
the biting mammal is a known rabies reservoir or vector species
the exposure occurs in a geographical area where rabies is still present
the animal looks sick or displays abnormal behaviour
a wound or mucous membrane was contaminated by the animals saliva
the bite was unprovoked
the animal has not been vaccinated.
The vaccination status of the suspect animal should not be the deciding factor when considering to initiate PEP
or not when the vaccination status of the animal is questionable. This can be the case if dog vaccination
programmes are not being sufficiently regulated or followed out of lack of resources or low priority.
WHO continues to promote human rabies prevention through the elimination of rabies in dogs, dog bite
prevention strategies, and more widespread use of the intradermal route for PEP which reduces volume and
therefore the cost of cell-cultured vaccine by 60% to 80%.
Integrated bite case management
If possible, the veterinary services should be alerted, the biting animal identified and quarantined for observation
(for healthy dogs and cats). Alternatively, the animal may be euthanized for immediate laboratory examination.
Prophylaxis must be continued during the 10-day observation period or while awaiting laboratory results.
Treatment may be discontinued if the animal is proven to be free of rabies. If a suspect animal cannot be
captured and tested, then a full course of prophylaxis should be completed.
 WHO response
Rabies is included in the neglected tropical disease roadmap of WHO. As a zoonotic disease, it requires close
cross-sectoral coordination at the national, regional and global levels.
Global activities
The United Against Rabies collaboration: a global catalytic platform to achieve zero human rabies deaths
by 2030
WHO, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the
Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) came together in 2015 to adopt a common strategy to achieve "Zero
human Rabies deaths by 2030" and formed the United Against Rabies collaboration.
This initiative marks the first time that both the human and animal health sectors have come together to advocate
for, and prioritize investments in rabies control and coordinate the global rabies-elimination efforts. A global
strategic plan, entitled 'Zero by 30' will guide and support countries as they develop and implement their national
rabies elimination plans that embrace the concepts of One-health and cross-sectoral collaboration.
'Zero by 30' focuses on improving access to post-exposure prophylaxis for bite victims; providing education on
bite prevention; and, expanding dog vaccination coverage to reduce human exposure risk.
Monitoring and surveillance of the disease should be a central element of every rabies programme. Declaring a
disease notifiable is crucial to establish functional reporting. This should include mechanisms for the
transmission of data from the community level to the national level and on to the OIE and WHO. This will
provide feedback on programme efficacy and allow for actions to be taken to improve areas of weakness.
Share data for rabies with WHO
Stockpiles of dog and human rabies vaccines have had a catalytic effect on rabies elimination efforts. WHO,
with partners, is working to forecast the global need for human and dog vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin, to
understand the global manufacturing capacity and to explore bulk purchasing options for countries through
WHO/UNICEF (human vaccine and RIG) and OIE/WHO (animal vaccine) mechanisms.
In 2016, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), established a working group
on rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins. The working group is currently reviewing the scientific evidence, the
relevant programmatic considerations, and the costs associated with their use. Specifically, they will be
evaluating intra-dermal vaccine delivery, shortened vaccination schedules, and the potential impact of new
biologicals. The proposed recommendations resulting from this work will be considered by SAGE in October
2017 to update WHOs position on rabies immunization.
WHO supported studies in Rabies endemic countries
With the support of WHO, selected countries in Africa and Asia are conducting prospective and retrospective
studies to gather data on dog bites and rabies cases, PEP treatment and follow-up, vaccine needs, and
programme delivery options.
Preliminary results from studies in Cambodia, Kenya, and Viet Nam confirm that:
children under 15 years of age have a higher rabies exposure risk, and most exposures are from dog bites;
both the availability of biologicals and the costs of seeking PEP are factors in treatment compliance; and
health system-based reporting underestimates rabies case detection in humans and dogs, when compared to
community-based systems.
Additionally, data on rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin formulations, procurement, and usage are expected
from rabies biological suppliers in both India and Viet Nam.
Once complete, the data will provide further evidence to support the need for investment in rabies programmes
crucial to informing global and regional strategies in achieving zero human rabies deaths by 2030. Furthermore,
the data will be used by the GAVI Alliance to inform its Vaccine Investment Strategy, for the inclusion of rabies
vaccines in its portfolio. A decision is expected in late 2018.
Regional and country examples
Since 1983, countries in the WHO Region of the Americas have reduced the incidence of rabies by over 95% in
humans and 98% in dogs. This success has been achieved mainly through the implementation of effective
policies and programmes that focus on regionally coordinated dog vaccination campaigns, raising public
awareness, and widespread availability of PEP.
Many countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region have embarked on rabies elimination campaigns in line
with the target of regional elimination by 2020. Bangladesh launched an elimination programme in 2010 and,
through the management of dog bites, mass dog vaccination, and increased availability of vaccines free of
charge, human rabies deaths decreased by 50% between 20102013.
Great strides have also been made in the Philippines, South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania where
proof of concepts, as part of a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation project led by WHO, recently showed that a
reduction in human rabies cases is possible through a combination of interventions involving mass dog
vaccination, improved access to PEP, increased surveillance and raising public awareness.
The key towards sustaining and expanding the rabies programmes to adjacent geographies has been to start
small, catalyse local rabies programmes through stimulus packages, demonstrate success and cost-effectiveness,
and ensure the engagement of governments and affected communities.
 Rabies
Symptoms & causes
Diagnosis & treatment

Print
Overview

Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals. The rabies
virus is usually transmitted through a bite.

Animals most likely to transmit rabies in the United States include bats, coyotes, foxes,
raccoons and skunks. In developing countries of Africa and Southeast Asia, stray dogs
are the most likely to spread rabies to people.

Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly
always fatal. For this reason, anyone who may have a risk of contracting rabies should
receive rabies vaccines for protection.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to the flu and may last for days. Later
signs and symptoms may include:

Fever

Headache

Nausea

Vomiting

Agitation

Anxiety

Confusion

Hyperactivity

Difficulty swallowing
 Excessive salivation

Fear of water (hydrophobia) because of the difficulty in swallowing

Hallucinations

Insomnia

Partial paralysis
When to see a doctor

Seek immediate medical care if you're bitten by any animal, or exposed to an animal
suspected of having rabies. Based on your injuries and the situation in which the
exposure occurred, you and your doctor can decide whether you should receive
treatment to prevent rabies.

Even if you aren't sure whether you've been bitten, seek medical attention. For instance,
a bat that flies into your room while you're sleeping may bite you without waking you. If
you awake to find a bat in your room, assume you've been bitten. Also, if you find a bat
near a person who can't report a bite, such as a small child or a person with a disability,
assume that person has been bitten.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic

Causes

Rabies infection is caused by the rabies virus. The virus is spread through the saliva of
infected animals. Infected animals can spread the virus by biting another animal or a
person. In rare cases, rabies can be spread when infected saliva gets into an open
wound or the mucous membranes, such as the mouth or eyes. This could occur if an
infected animal were to lick an open cut on your skin.

Animals that can transmit the rabies virus

Any mammal (an animal that suckles its young) can transmit the rabies virus. The
animals most likely to transmit the rabies virus to people include:

Pets and farm animals

 Cats

Cows

Dogs

Ferrets

Goats

Horses
Wild animals

Bats

Beavers

Coyotes

Foxes

Monkeys

Raccoons

Skunks

Woodchucks
In rare cases, the virus has been transmitted to tissue and organ transplant recipients
from an infected organ.

Risk factors

Factors that can increase your risk of rabies include:

Traveling or living in developing countries where rabies is more common, including

countries in Africa and Southeast Asia

Activities that are likely to put you in contact with wild animals that may have rabies, such
as exploring caves where bats live or camping without taking precautions to keep wild
animals away from your campsite

Working in a laboratory with the rabies virus

 Wounds to the head or neck, which may help the rabies virus travel to your brain more
quickly
Prevention

To reduce your risk of coming in contact with rabid animals:

Vaccinate your pets. Cats, dogs and ferrets can be vaccinated against rabies. Ask your
veterinarian how often your pets should be vaccinated.

Keep your pets confined. Keep your pets inside and supervise them when outside. This
will help keep your pets from coming in contact with wild animals.

Protect small pets from predators. Keep rabbits and other small pets, such as guinea
pigs, inside or in protected cages so that they are safe from wild animals. These small pets
can't be vaccinated against rabies.

Report stray animals to local authorities. Call your local animal control officials or other
local law enforcement to report stray dogs and cats.

Don't approach wild animals. Wild animals with rabies may seem unafraid of people. It's
not normal for a wild animal to be friendly with people, so stay away from any animal that
seems unafraid.

Keep bats out of your home. Seal any cracks and gaps where bats can enter your
home. If you know you have bats in your home, work with a local expert to find ways to
keep bats out.

Consider the rabies vaccine if you're traveling. If you're traveling to a country

where rabies is common and you'll be there for an extended period of time, ask
your doctor whether you should receive the rabies vaccine.

This includes traveling to remote areas where medical care is difficult to find.
Questions and answers on immunization and vaccine safety
Online Q&A
March 2017

1. With adequate levels of hygiene, sanitation and clean water, is there still a need for vaccination?
Vaccines are necessary and good hygiene, sanitation, clean water, and nutrition are insufficient for stopping
infectious diseases. If we dont maintain optimum rates of immunization or herd immunity, the diseases
prevented by vaccination will return. While better hygiene, sanitation and clean water help protect people from
infectious diseases, many infections can spread regardless of how clean we are. If people are not vaccinated,
diseases that have become uncommon such as pertussis (whooping cough), polio and measles, will quickly
reappear.
2. Are vaccines safe?
Vaccines are safe. Any licensed vaccine is rigorously tested across multiple phases of trials before it is approved
for use, and regularly reassessed once it is on the market. Scientists are also constantly monitoring information
from several sources for any sign that a vaccine may cause an adverse event. Most vaccine reactions are usually
minor and temporary, such as a sore arm or mild fever. In the rare event a serious side effect is reported, it is
immediately investigated.
It is far more likely to be seriously injured by a vaccine-preventable disease than by a vaccine. For example, in
the case of polio, the disease can cause paralysis, measles can cause encephalitis and blindness, and some
vaccine-preventable diseases can even result in death. While any serious injury or death caused by vaccines is
one too many, the benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the risks, and many more illness and deaths would
occur without vaccines.
3. Do vaccines provide better immunity than natural infections?
Vaccines interact with the immune system to produce an immune response similar to that produced by the
natural infection, but they do not cause the disease or put the immunized person at risk of its potential
complications. In contrast, the price paid for getting immunity through natural infection might be cognitive
impairments from Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), birth defects from rubella, liver cancer from hepatitis B
virus, or death from complication due to measles.
4. Do I need to be vaccinated against diseases that I do not see in my community or my country?
Although vaccine-preventable diseases have become uncommon in many countries, the infectious agents that
cause them continue to circulate in some parts of the world. In a highly inter-connected world, they can cross
geographical borders and infect anyone who is not protected. In Western Europe, for example, measles
outbreaks have occurred in unvaccinated populations in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy,
Spain, Switzerland, and United Kingdom, and in the United States.
Two key reasons to get vaccinated are to protect ourselves and to protect those around us. Successful vaccination
programmes depend on the cooperation of every individual to ensure the wellbeing of all. We should not rely on
people around us to stop the spread of disease; we, too, must do what we can.
5. Can a child be given more than one vaccine at a time?
Scientific evidence shows that giving several vaccines at the same time has no negative effect on a childs
immune system. Children are exposed to several hundred foreign substances that trigger an immune response
every day. The simple act of eating food introduces new antigens into the body, and numerous bacteria live in
the mouth and nose. A child is exposed to far more antigens from a common cold or sore throat than they are
from vaccines.
The key advantage of having several vaccines at once is fewer clinic visits, which saves time and money. Also,
when a combined vaccination is possible (e.g. for measles, mumps and rubella), that will result in fewer
injections and reduces discomfort for the child. A number of steps can also be taken to minimise the pain of the
multiple injections.
6. Do I need to be protected against influenza through vaccination?
Influenza is a serious disease that kills between 300 000 to 500 000 people worldwide every year. Pregnant
women, small children, elderly people with poor health and anyone with a chronic condition, like asthma or
heart disease, are at higher risk for severe infection and death. Vaccinating pregnant women has the added
benefit of protecting their newborns (there is currently no vaccine for babies under 6 months).
Seasonal influenza vaccines offer immunity to the 3 most prevalent strains circulating in any given season. It is
the best way to reduce your chances of severe flu and of spreading it to others. Avoiding the flu means avoiding
extra medical care costs and lost income from missing days of work or school.
7. What preservatives are used in vaccines?
Thiomersal is an organic, mercury-containing compound added to some vaccines as a preservative. It is safe and
the most widely-used preservative for vaccines that are provided in multi-dose vaccine vials. There is no
evidence to suggest that the amount of thiomersal used in vaccines poses a health risk.
8. What about vaccines and autism?
The 1998 study which raised concerns about a possible link between measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine
and autism was later found to be seriously flawed and fraudulent. The paper was subsequently retracted by the
journal that published it. Unfortunately, its publication set off a panic that led to dropping immunization rates,
and subsequent outbreaks of these diseases. There is no evidence of a link between MMR vaccine and autism or
autistic disorders.

Rabies in the Phillippines

Rabies continue to be a public health problem in the Philippines. The country is one of the top 10 countries with
rabies problem. It is responsible for the deaths of 200 to 300 Filipinos per year. In 2010, 257 died of rabies, and
in 2011, 202 deaths were reported.
 WHO: Philippines

At least 1/3 of deaths due to human rabies are among children less than 15 years old. Animal bite cases has been
increasing for the past 5 years. At least 328,459 persons in 2011, and 266, 220 individuals in 2010 were bitten by
animals. Almost half of rabies exposures are among school children. Dogs remain the principal cause of animal
bites and rabies cases.
Region 5 has 26 rabies cases in 2011, the highest among the regions. Bukidnon registered 13 cases, the highest
among the provinces in the country.
WHO supported Region 5, in partnership with the Department of Education, in continuing its initiatives to
include rabies program activities in their elementary school curriculum. The region has developed the teaching
materials, as well as the monitoring and evaluation tools to assess the practices of school children, teachers and
the community.
The Province of Kalinga was also supported by WHO. All mayors were provided with orientation and advocacy
to implement mass dog vaccination, with the goal of eliminating rabies in both men and animals.

Rabies free Visayas project

In 2009, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through WHO, provided support to three countries, Philippines
included, in its program for rabies-free communities. Called "Rabies-free Visayas Islands Project", its goal is to
declare the Visayas Region rabies-free zones at the end of project implementation. The project is jointly
implemented by the Department of Health (DOH), as lead proponent, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and
the local government units (LGUs). The main strategy is prevention of human rabies trhoguh the control and
elimination of canine rabies
Activities include mass dog vaccinations, consultative meetings and planning workshops, advocacy meetings
with LGUs, strengthening of rabies diagnostic laboratories, providing additional vaccines for post-exposure
prophylaxis of animal bite patients, as well as promoting responsible pet ownership and surveillance.

8 things you need to know about rabies

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Mar 21 2012 02:46 PM | Updated as of Mar 21 2012 11:57 PM

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MANILA, Philippines Did you know that 200 to 300 Filipinos die of rabies
each year?
Dr. Raffy Deray, program manager for rabies at the Department of Healths
National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, said a patient bitten by a
rabid dog may die within three to five days.
The latest recommendation of the DOH is all bite victims should be provided
immunization as early as possible, Deray said in interview on
Mornings@ANC on Tuesday.
Here are some things you need to know about rabies, as mentioned by Deray:

1. Rabies is caused by a virus that infects the central nervous system. A

patient may die within three to five days.
2. Rabies accounts for about 55,000 deaths worldwide every year, and
majority of the fatalities are children. In the Philippines, the disease is
responsible for the death of 200 to 300 Filipinos annually.
3. Rabies cases are usually higher in the Philippines during summer, when
children spend more time playing outdoors.
4. There are two ways that a person can get the rabies virus through the
bite of a rabid animal such as a dog, and by inhalation. The latter occurs
only in special circumstances, such as when the patient is inside a
laboratory.
5. Here are some signs that you may have rabies: anxiety, stress and
tension, delirium, drooling, convulsions, exaggerated sensation at the
bite site, hallucinations, loss of feeling in an area of the body, loss of
muscle function, low-grade fever (102 degrees Fahrenheit or lower),
muscle spasms, numbness and tingling, pain at the side of the bite,
restlessness, insomnia, and swallowing difficulty.
6. Rabies cannot be cured, but it is preventable. There are two ways to
prevent this disease by vaccinating dogs, and by vaccinating humans.
Traditional healers approaches to treating rabies have no scientific
basis.
7. When bitten by stray animals who may have rabies, do the following: 1)
immediately wash the bite with soap and clean water. Antiseptics may
be applied. 2) Consult a physician or go to your nearest animal bite
center for immunization. 3) Consult a veterinarian for the management
of the biting dog.
8. The DOH is targeting a rabies-free Philippines by 2020 mainly through
the vaccination of all dogs in the country.
Facts and tips about rabies
prevention
By
BusinessMirror
-
March 23, 2017

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EGYPTIAN writings have documented the existence of rabies as early as 2300 B.C. and
this ancient viral disease had claimed so many lives, and until this moment the whole
world is still fighting this disease.

It was only in 1885 when rabies became a preventable disease after two French scientists
Louis Pasteur and Emil Roux developed the fist rabies vaccine. Though it is preventable,
rabies is still fatal and a major health concern in over 100 countries with limited access to
health and veterinary system.

Here are some of the important information and facts from the World Health
Oganization about rabies that could help everyone to understand the virus and to protect
themselves and their pets from rabies.

1 Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear

Transmission of rabies is through the bites of rabid animals, usually dogs. When the virus
is widely distributed throughout the central nervous system, the infection is fatal.

2 Rabies is hard to spot

According to apese.org, the symptoms of rabies are very vague and typically mimic the
side effects of other diseases and illnesses. People with rabies may have a fever, a
headache, and a pricking feeling around the site of the wound. What causes the fatalities,
however, is the fact that the brain and spinal cord becomes swollen. This leads to
hallucinations, insomnia, and eventually coma.

3 Rabies is present all over the world except Antartica

According to the World Health Organization, out of the 59,000 people who die from
rabies every year, 99 percent of deaths occur in Africa and Asia.

4 Four out 10 deaths are in children below 15 years old

Everyone is susceptible to dog bites but because of the playful nature of children, and
most of them lack awareness about rabies, they are more vulnerable.

5 Rabies is 100 percent preventable and there are two types of management using
rabies vaccines

Though thousands of lives succumb to rabies, this disease is 100 percent preventable by
vaccinating people. There are two types of management using rabies vaccines. Pre-
exposure prophylaxis (PreP) a preventative treatment before exposure to the virus. For
PreP, a total of three injections will be administered. A week after the first shot, the
2nd shot will be given then the third will be 2 or 3 weeks later. Post-exposure
prophylaxis (PEP) a treatment to stop the onset of rabies after exposure to the
virus. There are several treatment regimen schedules. In government animal bite
treatment centers that are accredited by the Department of Health, the Updated 2-Site
Intradermal Schedule is used where 2 intradermal injections are given on days 0,3,7, and
28. In private hospitals and clinics, the Standard Intramuscular Schedule is more
popularly used where 5 shots of intramuscular injections are given on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and
28 It is very important to consult right away with a doctor or a nearby animal bite center
for proper animal bite management.

6 Disinfecting a Wound after a dog bite is important

The WHO recommends immediate cleansing of the wound after being bitten by a dog or
other animals. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for about 15 minutes.
Bite victims need to see a doctor to get a professional opinion about future treatment
steps.

7 Education and awareness are essential to prevent bites of rabid animals

The Department of Health has a campaign to address this health concern. By spreading
the needed information about rabies protection and raising awareness about responsible
pet ownership, spread of rabies and animal bites can be prevented.

The collaboration of different sectors from the national government down to

barangays, pet owners, organizations, and all concerned sectors must work together to
achieve the goal of zero deaths from rabies in 2020.

8 Dog vaccination is needed

All pet owners must have their dogs and other pets that may be possible carriers
vaccinated. Mass dog vaccination has shown that control of rabies is possible.

TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOU AND YOUR PETS

The americanhumane.org lists down several helpful tips that can protect you and your
pets from rabies.

Always keep your pets rabies vaccine up to date. Puppies and kittens should receive their
first rabies vaccination at 12 weeks of age. Pets must be vaccinated again in one year, and
then a three-year rabies vaccine is generally administered during the rest of your pets life.
Keep your pets rabies vaccination certificate in an accessible location.
If your pet bites a person or another animal, see a doctor and your veterinarian
immediately. If your pet is bitten by another known domestic animal, consult your
veterinarian immediately and ask the owner to provide proof of rabies vaccination. If the
other animal is not up to date on his rabies vaccine, it is advisable to report the incident
to your local animal control authority to ensure that the animal is quarantined
appropriately.

If your pet receives a suspected bite wound from an unknown animal or if your pet
comes in direct contact with any wild animal, even if no wounds are evident, consult your
veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian may recommend a rabies booster.

If you are scratched or bitten by any animal, either wild or domestic, consult your
physician immediately. If the animal is a pet, ask the owner to provide proof of rabies
vaccination.

Avoid animals displaying unnatural behavior. Animals that are unusually friendly or
displaying other unnatural behaviors may have the rabies virus. Dont let your pets roam
or encourage them to interact with unfamiliar domestic or wild animals.

Feed your pets indoors. Leaving food outside often attracts stray dogs, cats and wildlife
to your yard.

Animal-proof your trash. Make sure your trash lids are locked, and dont leave bags of
garbage outside the cans.

Report all stray animals to animal control. Stray animals may not be vaccinated for rabies.
They also run a high risk of exposure to wild animals who carry the disease.

Give your child some guidelines to follow. Do not frighten young children, but make
sure they learn some basic rules about protecting themselves from strange or unfamiliar
animals.
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