World Rabies Day 2020: “End Rabies: Collaborate, Vaccinate”

What is the need?

Around 59 000 human deaths caused by rabies annually in over 150 countries, with 95% of cases occurring in Africa and Asia. Around 99% of rabies cases are due to dog bites and the 90% burden of disease is in rural poor populations, with approximately half of cases attributable to children under 15 years of age. In India, rabies is a major public health problem killing an estimated 20,000 people annually. It is endemic throughout the country except for Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.

What is rabies?

Rabies is one of the most deadly infectious viral diseases. It is always fatal by the time its symptoms start appearing, but it is entirely preventable. The virus enters the human body from the saliva of the rabid animals from bite wounds and scratches. Symptoms of rabies appear 1-3 months after a dog bite.

When is it celebrated?

World Rabies Day is celebrated annually on 28th September to raise awareness about rabies prevention. 28 September marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur's death, who developed the first rabies vaccine and laid the foundations of rabies prevention. This year’s theme focuses on vaccination and collaboration.  It reminds us of key current issues in rabies elimination, namely; 

• The goal of Zero by 2030, 
• The importance of dog vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis; and 
• The need for a united effort towards achieving the elimination of this transboundary disease.

Who is at more risk?

• Children (between the ages of 5 and 15 years) are more susceptible to dog bite and rabies because of their playful nature 
• They often play with dogs without awareness of bite and disease. 
• Children often conceal their bites/wounds from parents for fear of being scolded. 
• Sometimes children attacked by dogs are not aware of the bite/ scratch and 
• Parents often ignore the attack or simply treat the wounds by applying indigenous products such as hot peppers or turmeric.

How to prevent rabies?

People should be educated about the following facts-

• Educating the people, especially children, about the dog’s behavior and body language (such as angry, suspicious, friendly) to prevent bites.
• Taking post-exposure vaccination in case of dog bites to prevent rabies.
• If dog bites→ wash with soap and water for 15 minutes → go to the health center → take post-bite treatment (Care of wound +Post exposure prophylaxis)
• Prevent rabies in dogs by vaccinating the dogs.
• Pre-exposure vaccination is advised to high-risk groups like laboratory staff handling the virus and infected material, clinicians and persons attending to human rabies cases, veterinarians, animal handlers and catchers, wildlife wardens.

Avoid:

• Touching the wound with a bare hand.
• Applying irritants like soil, chilies, oil, herbs, chalk, betel leaves to bite wound.

Points to remember:

• Vaccinate your dog. Protecting dogs against rabies helps protect you and your family too.
• Avoid dog bites: Learn to read a dog’s body language. 
• Don’t tease or attack them.
• Teach children to always tell you if an animal bites or scratches them. 
• Praise a child for doing this.
• Immediately wash a bite wound for 10 minutes and consult your doctor about vaccinations.
• No bites. No rabies

References:

1. https://www.who.int/rabies/epidemiology/en/
2. https://www.nhp.gov.in/world-rabies-day-2019_pg
3. https://rabiesalliance.org/world-rabies-day
4. https://www.who.int/rabies/WRD_landing_page/en/
5. https://www.who.int/rabies/about/en/
6. https://www.who.int/rabies/epidemiology/en/
7. https://rabiesalliance.org/resource/want-friend-be-friend-english
8. https://www.oie.int/en/animal-health-in-the-world/rabies-portal/about-rabies/