The Rabies is an acute viral disease caused by animal bite. Not only blood but from the saliva also rabies can be transmitted. The fatality rate is nearly 100%. Once the symptom is developed in rare cases patient is survived. There is no known effective treatment. So the animal bite management should be dealt with utmost care.
Almost all warm blooded animals including man can cause the disease. In almost 96% cases dogs are responsible for human rabies. Next is the cat (2%).
Animal transmitting Rabies:
A. Domestic: Dogs and cats
B. Peri-domestic: Large ruminants (cows and buffaloes) Small ruminants (sheep and goat), Mammals like pigs, donkeys, horses, camels etc.
C. Wild: Any wild animal Foxes and jackals, mongoose, leopard, bear etc. and even monkey.
D. Not reported: Bird, squirrel, bats, rodents
Human-to-human transmission has never been confirmed other than organ transplantation. Organ transplanted from rabies –infected donors can transmit the infection to the organ recipient. Individuals with symptoms of unexplained encephalitis before death should, therefore be excluded as organ donors. Also, people who have been exposed closely to the secretions of a patient with rabies should be offered PEP as a precautionary measure.
The observation period of 10 days is valid only for dogs and cats due to the fact that the incubation period of rabies is known and quite specific in dogs & cats, unlike in other animals. If the biting dog or cat had rabies virus in its saliva when it did the biting, research shows that it would die or show clinical signs of rabies within 10 days of bite.
How to manage the wound
a. Wash the wound immediately (as early as possible) under running tap water for at least 15 minutes.
b. Use soap or detergent to wash the wound
c. After thorough washing and drying the wound apply antiseptic e.g. Povidone iodine, etc.
d. Don’t apply irritants viz. chillies, soil, oils, turmeric powder, lime, salt, plant juice etc.
e. Don’t touch the wound with bare hands.
Wound washing must be performed even if the patient is late.
Anti Rabies Vaccination
Fortunately, rabies is a preventable disease. PEP, which involves a series of shots and sometimes rabies immunoglobulin, can prevent the disease from developing if administered promptly after exposure.
Doctor Consultation:
Since the fatality rate is very high and there is no effective treatment once symptom is developed, consultation with Doctor is indispensable when animal bite, even scratch is happened.
