Rabies virus is in the saliva of animals

World Rabies Day: Every year tens of thousands dead

09/28/2014

Rabies is still considered one of the most dangerous infectious diseases. Tens of thousands of people die each year as a result of the preventable disease. In Germany, the former main carriers, the foxes, are now vaccinated. The World Rabies Day on September 28 wants to draw attention to the dangers of the disease.

Tens of thousands dead each year
Rabies is still considered one of the most dangerous infectious diseases worldwide. More than 15 million people are treated every year with a suspicion of rabies. According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, between 50,000 and 60,000 people die every year from the preventable disease. Most of them in Asia and Africa. A vaccine would significantly reduce the incidence of rabies. The World Rabies Day on September 28th will help raise awareness of the dangers of the disease.

Rabies is triggered by viruses and usually causes a fatal encephalitis (brain inflammation). Dogs are the main carriers worldwide, foxes in Germany in the past. But with the help of little ones „brown vaccine candies“ In this country all foxes were vaccinated over the years. Many European countries are now considered rabies free. That this does not have to be a permanent condition is shown by the example of the Indonesian holiday island of Bali. This was also considered to be free of rabies for years, until it came in 2009 to several deaths after people were apparently infected by monkeys.

Vaccination against rabies
You can vaccinate against rabies. Above all, people who travel to endangered countries are advised to do so. For example, those who want to go to India, because there rabies through deadly bites of dogs and other animals every year 18,000 to 20,000 lives. Basically, it is important, after an animal bite, not wait to see if appropriate rabies symptoms occur, because then it is usually already too late for a therapy. An infection with the rabies pathogen is usually treated with an immediate active vaccine and with special antibodies (immunoglobulin).

Global Day of Action draws attention to the dangers of rabies
Whether such a treatment is appropriate must be made immediately after the bite and thus long before the occurrence of any complaints. Therefore, the assessment of the probability of whether the affected animal carries the pathogen is of immense importance. The first signs of overt rabies include nonspecific symptoms such as fever, a general malaise, headache, nausea and vomiting, inner restlessness and anxiety. The earliest typical rabies symptoms that occur in 50 to 80 percent of cases include itching and pain or sensory disturbances near the bite. As described, it may already be too late for treatment at this stage. As every year on September 28, the World Rabies Day will raise awareness of the dangers of the disease. (Ad)