Rabies - ZERO by 2030!

 

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a deadly virus that is spread to humans from the saliva of an infected animal mostly by stray dogs. Though it is a vaccine-preventable disease the sad truth is, India accounts for 36% of the rabies deaths caused globally which nearly accounts for 20,000 cases in a year as per the reports from the National Health Portal.

According to the WHO these numbers are remaining constant for more than a decade. It is very important to fight back against the disease as it is impossible to recover, Rabies is the only disease in India that has a 100% fatality rate. Prevention is the only way to escape, experts say.

Though it is considered to be the world's deadliest vaccine-preventable disease, it is yet to make it to the priority list in India's health sector. Even though WHO aims at "Zero Rabies Death by 2030" a comprehensive national program is non-existent in India.

The prevalence of rabies across the World 

The deadly disease is the main cause for nearly 59,000 human deaths every year worldwide. Asia and Africa are the two major continents prone to be affected by the disease. 

The theme for 2022 is "One Health" with the goal being "Zero by 30" which says dog-mediated human rabies elimination is possible! The message mainly focuses on coming together in order to make a positive change and achieve what we know is possible - let us join together to achieve what we believe is possible. LET US ELIMINATE RABIES.

Rabies in India

The 28th of September is celebrated as the National Rabies Day. The day embraces the importance of raising awareness about preventing the dreadful disease caused by a dog bite. September 28th also marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur's death who developed the first vaccine for the horrifying disease.

Did you know?

Only 6 people in India have survived Rabies since 2010.

What causes Rabies?

Rabies a zoonotic disease, is caused by an infection from the deadly neurotropic virus. There are many strains of this virus and each strain is maintained in a particular reservoir host. This virus can cause rabies in other species as well. The virus usually dies during the serial passage in the species to which they do not adapt. At times the reservoir host is used as an adjective to describe a strain’s origin.

But, how does it spread?

Rabies spreads from warm-blooded carnivorous animals. These include dogs, cats, jackals, monkeys, bats, wolves, etc. When a rabied animal licks or bites a human the disease i.e., the RNA virus manifests as viral encephalitis in humans. 

There is no effective treatment and can only be prevented by vaccination. Though it is a completely preventable disease it continues to be a public health problem in India and other developing countries.

How does Rabies affect Livestock?

The disease spreads when an infected animal bites other species, usually bites of dogs, cats, or wild animals. The only way to control this disease in livestock is the eradication of the disease in the vector animal or immunization of livestock. The sad part is, in recent times rabies in dogs and livestock is prevalent across all states in India.

Symptoms

The period between the exposure to the infection and the appearance of the first symptoms of rabies is nearly two to three months. It might also vary from one week to one year depending on the location of the virus entry and the viral load. Initially the disease shows symptoms such as:

• fever with pain & 

• unusual pricking, tingling or a burning sensation at the place wounded.

As the virus starts spreading to the nervous system fatal inflammation starts developing in the brain and in the spinal cord.

The disease shows two different forms:

1. Furious Rabies: shows signs of 

• hyperactivity

• excessive excitement

• fear of water i.e., hydrophobia 

• fear of fresh air i.e., aerophobia.

A few days later a cardio-respiratory arrest occurs and results in death.

2. Paralytic rabies 

This type of rabies is the reason for nearly 20% the effect the disease has on humans. The muscles start paralysing gradually, the coma slowly starts developing and finally results in death. This kind of rabies is very often misdiagnosed which in turn contributes to under-reporting of the disease. 

If the animal shows symptoms as mentioned above it is better to handle them in a way as though they have rabies until you confirm the animal is not affected by the disease.

Strategies to prevent rabies

Due to the complex nature of the disease, multiple levels of interventions are required. Below are a few strategies to be followed to prevent rabies.

• Registration and licensing of dogs 

• Immunization

• Controlling the stray dog population

• Destroying dogs bitten by rabied animals

• Quarantining imported dogs for 6 months, 

• Make sure dogs have current rabies shots

• Keep your animal in a fenced yard or on a leash outside the house

Final Thoughts

When it comes to eliminating diseases such as smallpox, polio or Covid-19, India has always played an important role and has been a role model to the world. Even though the idea of eradicating Rabies is imminent, we have to understand that it is a stepwise process. Let us work towards making our generation the last one to fight dog-mediated rabies.

About the Author

Dr. Vijayakumar Ramalingam

CEO & Co-Founder - AniMeta AgriTech Expert Animal Production & Management