Just few days ago I was fortunate to be part of the team that was sent for the treatment of a dog that has been diagnosed of rabies infection because rabies is a disease that has been highly rated out of all the zoonotic diseases of animals, it has been placed in a position that is very different from others. It has even been termed as the yorubas as the “digbolugi” sickness which means wild and out of control.
We got there and indeed, the sight of the dog was devastating, the dog has passed the furious phase of the infection which is the first phase. It is now in the dumb phase which is the second terminal stage. And at this stage there is little or nothing we can do to the dog and in order to prevent the dog passing the infection about or causing more havoc all we had to do was to eutenize the dog.
Therefore, my fellow steemians I would be shedding more light on this deadly disease in order to prevent occurrence as such
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WHAT IS RABIES
Rabies is an infectious viral disease that is almost always fatal following the onset of the clinical symptoms.
In 99% of the cases, domestic dogs are responsible for rabies virus transmission to humans. And it can affect both the domestic animals and the wild animals.
Every year more than 15million people worldwide receive a post-bite vaccination which is estimated to prevent hundreds of thousands of rabies deaths annually.
Rabies is present on all continents except Antarctica, with over 95% of human deaths occurring in the Asia and Africa regions.
Rabies is a viral illness spread via the saliva of an infected animal. This occurs usually through biting a human or another animal. The transmission can also occur through saliva touching an open wound or touching mucous membranes.
WHAT CAUSES RABIES?
Rabies is caused by the rabies virus of the genus lyssavirus and family of Rhabdoviridae. The virus infects the brain and ultimately leads to death. After been bitten by a rabid animal, the virus is deposited in the muscle and subcutaneous tissue. For most of the incubation period(1-3months), the virus stays close to the exposure site. The virus then travels via peripheral nerves to nearly all parts of the body. It has been recognized that any mammal can spread rabies ranging from bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and skunks.
HOW THE VIRUS IS TRANSMITTED?
Generally, people are usually infected with deep bite or scratch from an animal with rabies and transmission to humans by rabid dogs which accounts for 99% of the cases. While in America bats are now he major causes of the infection.
Transmission can also occur when infectious material usually saliva comes in direct contact with human mucosa or fresh skin wounds. Human to human transmission through bites is theoretically possible but has never been confirmed.
The contraction of rabies through inhalation of virus-containing aerosols or through transplantation of organs is possible but rare.
SYMPTOMS OF RABIES
The symptoms can occur as fast as within the first week of the infection. Early symptoms are generalized and include weakness, fever, and headaches, apart from all these general signs the infection is divide into two types:
The Paralytic form: it runs in a less dramatic and usually longer course than the furious form. Muscle 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.
The furious form: Animal/ people with the furious form of the virus exhibit signs of hyperactivity, excitable behavior, hydrophobia (fear of water) and sometimes aerophobia (fear of drafts or fresh air). Death occurs after a few days due to cardio-respiratory arrest, there is also difficulty in swallowing, hyper salivation.
NB: Once the symptoms of rabies starts the prognosis is always poor.
DIAGNOSIS
Currently there is no diagnostic tools for diagnosing the infection before the onset of clinical signs unless the rabies –specific signs of hydrophobia or aerophobia are present.
Well in animals, rabies can be diagnosed by detecting the rabies virus in any affected part of the brain. This requires that the animal be euthanized.
In humans, rabies is diagnosed by testing saliva, blood samples, spinal fluid and skin samples. Multiples tests may be necessary, test which rely on detection of genetic materials of rabies.
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TREATMENT
The mode of treating an infected animal is POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS- which is the immediate treatment of the bite victim after rabies exposure. This prevents virus entry into the nervous system, which results in imminent death.
Post Exposure Prophylaxis(PEP) includes the following:
Extensive washing and local treatment of the wound as soon as possible after the exposure. It includes the immediate and thorough flushing and washing of the wound for a minimum of 15minutes with soap and water, detergent, povidone iodine solution or other substances that kills rabies virus.
The administration of rabies immunoglobulin(RIG) if indicated which is a rabies immunoglobulin that helps to prevent the virus from infecting the individual. Part of this immunization is given near the animal bite.
A course of potent and effective rabies vaccine that meets WHO standards this follows the Immunoglobulin injection. It is four injections of rabies vaccine to help the body fight the virus.
PROGNOSIS
The prognosis is very poor if the symptoms has begun already.
PREVENTION.
The prevention of rabies infection is mostly about the good pet care and outdoor behavior.
Vaccination of pets should be done at regular time. In Nigeria it is done for dogs at 6months of age where it is renewed annually.
Keep pets away from stray animals.
Owners and humans should also get vaccinated.