Experts raise awareness on rabies

A district-level World Rabies Day event was held at Civil Hospital, Tissa, in Churah subdivision of Chamba under the chairmanship of Dr Rishi Puri today. During the event, Dr Puri emphasised that rabies is a deadly viral infection that causes inflammation in the brain and spinal cord (encephalitis) in both humans and animals. He said World Rabies Day is observed annually on the birthday of Louis Pasteur, the scientist who discovered the rabies virus.

Dr Puri highlighted that the most common way rabies spreads is if bitten by an infected animal such as a bat, fox, dog or cat. He urged that if anyone is bitten by an animal, they should seek immediate medical attention and receive the rabies vaccine.

“Rabies symptoms usually appear 30 to 50 days after a bite,” he said. “If the vaccine is administered promptly after the bite, rabies can almost always be prevented,” he said.

Dr Puri also warned that once symptoms appear, the disease becomes untreatable and often leads to death. Rabies is caused by the virus commonly found in wild animals. The virus is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. Vaccinated animals are generally protected from rabies and are unlikely to transmit the virus to humans.

Changa Ram Thakur, Public Education and Information Officer from the Chief Medical Officer’s office, detailed the symptoms of rabies. “Symptoms may not appear for 30 to 50 days, though they can sometimes show up within 10 days,” he explained.

“Early signs include pain and numbness where bitten, fever, headache, restlessness, confusion, excessive salivation and painful muscle spasms in the throat, which make swallowing, speaking, and breathing difficult. As the brain infection worsens, it ultimately leads to death,” he said.

Thakur further advised that people working with animals should consider getting vaccinated to protect against potential rabies exposure. If bitten by an animal, wounds must be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water and medical attention should be sought immediately.

“If bitten by a pet without rabies symptoms, the animal can be observed by its owner or a veterinarian for 10 days. If the animal remains healthy after this period, it is unlikely that rabies was transmitted. If symptoms develop, treatment will begin immediately. People who receive immunoglobulin and the complete series of vaccines almost never contract rabies,” he said.

He concluded by urging pet owners to vaccinate their dogs and cats annually, keep them under control, and avoid contact with unfamiliar animals.