1ST CITY CLINICAL HOSPITAL

September 28 - World Rabies Day

27.09.2024

Every year since 2007, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), World Rabies Day has been held on September 28.

Rabies is an acute infectious disease characterized by damage to the central nervous system.

The rabies virus is released with the saliva of an animal with rabies. The main mechanisms of transmission of infection from an animal to a person are bites and drooling of the skin; saliva getting on the mucous membranes is also dangerous.

After the first clinical signs appear, rabies progresses rapidly. At the stage of clinical symptoms, its mortality rate is 100%.

After receiving damage (scratches, abrasions, bites) or drooling of the skin or mucous membranes as a result of contact with an animal, it is necessary to contact a healthcare organization at your place of residence or the nearest healthcare organization as soon as possible (preferably within the first 24 hours) to see a doctor for examination, local treatment of wounds, scratches, abrasions, drooling sites and to decide on prescribing a course of anti-rabies care (vaccination course).

During the appointment, the doctor will assess the risk of possible infection with the rabies virus depending on the nature of the contact (damage), data about the animal, and, if necessary, prescribe a course of therapeutic and prophylactic immunization.

It is very important to take measures to appoint observation of the animal simultaneously with contact with a doctor. Veterinary specialists establish veterinary observation for a known animal (the owner's contact details are known) with which contact occurred, for a period of 10 days from the moment of contact with the animal. If, according to the results of veterinary observation, the animal is healthy, the vaccination course may be stopped by the doctor's decision.

Only timely anti-rabies assistance can prevent the development of rabies in humans.

Persons whose work involves the risk of exposure to the rabies virus must undergo preventive immunization.

These persons include:

• persons performing work on catching and keeping stray animals; 
• veterinarians, hunters, foresters, slaughterhouse workers, taxidermists, gamekeepers; 
• persons working with wild rabies virus; 
• persons who have medical indications for immunization due to contact with an animal.

The sooner the body develops immunity, the better it will prevent the development of the disease.

If you belong to a risk group due to the nature of your professional activity, make your choice in favor of preventive immunization!

Don't forget about simple preventive measures:

• avoid any contact with wild and stray animals; 
• prevent contact between domestic animals and wild and stray animals; 
• vaccinate your pets against rabies annually; 
• purchase animals only if they have a veterinary examination; 
• when taking a previously stray animal into the family (picked up at a dacha, in the forest or on the street), it is necessary to find an opportunity to show it to a veterinarian as soon as possible for mandatory preventive vaccination against rabies and veterinary observation; 
• if there are any changes in the behavior of a pet, if it is injured by another animal, or if it dies without any apparent reason, you must immediately contact a veterinary specialist to establish veterinary observation of the animal or to determine the cause of the animal’s death; 
• explain to children the rules of interaction with animals and the need to inform adults in the event of even minor injuries caused by animals; 
• Use mechanical means of window protection (mosquito nets) to prevent bats from entering the premises.