Countdown to World Rabies Day 2024 (1)
By Dr. Ibikunle Faramade
The World Rabies Day celebration as an annual event came into being in the year 2007 after the proposal of the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) to dedicate the day to raise awareness about rabies was adopted by the World Health Organization. The day, that is, 28 September, is very significant, as it aims to raise the bar of awareness about the dreaded disease globally in order to reduce its incidence and associated fatalities. September 28 also commemorates the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur, the legendary scientist who demystified the disease.
Rabies is a zoonotic disease that is reputed to cause not less than 50, 000 death annually, worldwide. The disease is caused by rabies virus which is maintained in the wild (sylvatic cycle) and transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected dog. However, the disease is one hundred percent vaccine preventable through annual vaccination of dogs and cats.
It was the great French chemist and microbiologists, Louis Pasteur who discovered the anti-rabies vaccine in 1885, closely following his discoveries of vaccines against bacteria diseases such as fowl cholera, erysipelas and anthrax among others. The first patient to receive anti – rabies vaccine was Joseph Meister, a 9-year-old boy, who came from Alsace to consult Dr. Joseph Grancher at the Hospital des Enfants – malades in Paris. He had been severely bitten by a rabid dog at the hands, legs and hips. Through this vaccination, the boy was able to survive the fatality of rabies without any complications. This singular breakthrough opened the window of opportunity to prevent the onslaught of the disease which sadly does not have definite treatment after clinical manifestation of symptoms. This great fit was confirmed through the vaccination of Jean-Baptiste Jupille, another 15-year-old shepherd from the Jura, in the east of France, who was severely bitten by a rabid dog. He too was successfully protected by vaccination. In October 1886, more than 2490 patients were vaccinated at the Pasteur laboratory, in Paris, France. Since that time (139 years ago!) rabies disease in humans and animals have become hundred percent preventable.
ABOUT RABIES VIRUS
Through scientific experiments by Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch and others, the theory of “spontaneous generation” was effectively disproved. For more than two thousand years preceding the 19th century, it was erroneously believed that diseases were a product of interaction between weather and planets. Rabies is not a demonic possession by dogs neither is it satanic attack nor caused by evil spell. Rabies is caused by a microorganism known as rabies virus.
The virus is transmitted from bats (regarded as a reservoir) to dogs through complex interactions. The virus has special affinity for the nerve cell where it quickly attach after a bite. The saliva of a rabid dog is rich in the virus after the incubation period. The teeth of the rabid dog serve as a tool to open up the body to receive virus laden saliva (the virus is delivered to the susceptible host through the saliva which accompanies a bite).
The virus final destination is the brain. That’s why the period of manifestation of rabies after a rabid dog bite depends on the closeness of the site of bite to the brain. At times, the victims may have forgotten that a dog once bit him/her. A bite on the heels may have prolonged period of manifestation than the bite on the hand!
WHAT CAN I DO TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF INFECTION AFTER A BITE?
It is heartwarming to note that as dangerous as the virus seem, it is very fragile. The use of detergents to wash the site of the wound copiously immediately after a bite is known to reduce the possibility of rabies disease by at least 50%. Thereafter, visit the nearest (human) hospital.
If you were not previously vaccinated before the bite of a rabid dog, there is a clinical management protocol involving the use of rabies immunoglobulin (especially, if you report at the hospital within immediately).
Vaccination of all humans who are at risk is advocated. These include veterinarians and all cadres of workforce related to animal health service delivery and animal handlers (especially, dogs and cats).
CAN RABIES SPREAD ONLY BY BITE?
No. Rabies could also spread if the saliva of a rabid dog comes in contact with open wound or any mucous membrane of warm blooded animals including humans. There is no evidence for clinical transmission by air.
ARE ALL DOG BITES DUE TO RABIES?
No. Dogs are territorial by nature and they are naturally defensive. Dogs may bite as a means of securing their territories. That’s termed bites due to provocation. It also requires immediate medical attention but the fear of possible rabies transmission is allayed if the dog has been previously vaccinated with proof of vaccination evidenced by certificate of vaccination officially endorsed by a veterinarian detailing the type of vaccine, the manufacturer, date of vaccination and the expiry date. No oral evidence of vaccination is reliable or admissible in the court (if the victim or government institute a case against the dog owner)
WHAT ARE THE CLINICAL SIGNS OF RABIES IN ANIMALS?
Behavioral Changes
These include sudden loss of appetite, signs of apprehension or nervousness, irritability, and hyperexcitability. The animal may seek solitude, or an otherwise unfriendly animal may become friendly. Uncharacteristic aggressiveness can develop, and wild animals may lose their fear of people. Animals that are normally nocturnal may be seen wandering around during the daytime.
Other Changes
The furious form of rabies is the classic “mad-dog” syndrome, although it is seen in all species. The animal becomes irritable and may viciously and aggressively use its teeth and claws with the slightest provocation. The posture is alert and anxious, with pupils dilated. Noise can invite attack. Such animals lose fear and caution of other animals. Young pups seek out human companionship and are overly playful, but will bite even when petted and become vicious within a few hours. As the disease progresses, seizures and lack of muscle coordination are common. Death is caused by progressive paralysis.
The paralytic form of rabies (or “dumb rabies”) usually involves paralysis of the throat and jaw muscles, often with excess salivation and inability to swallow. Drooping of the lower jaw is common. These animals may not be vicious and rarely attempt to bite. People can be infected by this form when examining the dog’s mouth or giving it medication with bare hands. Paralysis progresses throughout the body and death occurs within a few hours.
To be continued…
Dr. Ibikunle Faramade is a veterinary pathologist, sustainable development practitioner, animal welfare advocate and a lecturer at the Federal College of Animal Health & Production Technology, Apata. Ibadan. He’s the C.E.O of the Society for Animal Rights Protection, a non-profit and a non-governmental organization dedicated to the promotion of animal welfare, animal rights and prevention of cruelty tos animals. animalrightsprotection2020@gmail.com , +2348028305284
