adminDr Tendai Zuze Health
THERE have been confirmed cases of rabies in Manicaland and we all should be on the lookout for this deadly disease. Rabies, by the way, is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals. The rabies virus is usually transmitted through a bite. Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, that is it, the disease is nearly always fatal. For this reason, anyone who may have a risk of contracting rabies should receive rabies vaccines for protection.
The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to the flu and may last for days. Signs and symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, confusion, hyperactivity, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, hallucinations, partial paralysis and fear of water (hydrophobia)
The rabies virus is spread through the saliva of infected animals. 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 domestic animals like cats, dogs, even goats and cows and wild animals like monkeys, bats and hyenas. In rare cases, the virus has been transmitted to tissue and organ transplant recipients from an infected organ.
Factors that can increase your risk of rabies include:
Travelling 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 animals that may have rabies, like animal handlers
Working in a laboratory with the rabies virus
Wounds to the head, neck or hands, which may help the rabies virus travel to your brain more quickly
There is no proper way to tell if an animal that has bitten you has rabies so at the slightest suspicion you are safer getting a rabies vaccine. There is no specific treatment for rabies infection. Though a small number of people have survived rabies, the disease is mostly fatal.
Procedures for determining whether an animal has rabies vary by situation. For instance:
Cats and dogs that bite can be observed for 10 days to see if they show signs of rabies. If the animal that bit you remains healthy during the observation period, then it doesn’t have rabies and you might not need rabies shots.
Wild animals that can be found and captured, such as a bat that came into your home, can be killed and tested for rabies. Tests on the animal’s brain may reveal the rabies virus.
If the animal that bit you can’t be found, discuss the situation with your doctor. In most cases, it may be safe to assume that the animal had rabies and proceed with the rabies shots.
You can reduce your risk of coming in contact with rabid animals by doing the following:
Vaccinate your pets. Cats and dogs 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.
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
Consider the rabies vaccine if you’re traveling to a rabies area or if you work with animals.
Dr Zuze can be contacted at Highland Clinic on 020-66364
Online Reporter