World Rabies Day 2024: Facts and Significance

 

 

 

World Rabies Day is observed on 28^th September every year to spread awareness about rabies, a deadly disease common in Africa and Asia. By educating the public about the disease, the occurrences of rabies cases can be prevented and combated globally. Rabies is a zoonotic disease that is transferred to humans from infected animals with rabies virus (Lyssavirus) derived from the saliva of both domestic and wild animals. The virus mainly affects the central nervous system and is fatal in most cases. In developing countries like India, the virus is spread mainly through infected stray dogs via bites. 99% of human rabies cases are caused by infected dog bites. It can lead the person to develop several symptoms, including hydrophobia (extreme fear of water). In rare cases, an open wound or mouth and eyes being exposed to the saliva of an infected animal can lead to rabies.

Theme for World Rabies Day 2024 and its Meaning or Significance

The theme for World Rabies Day 2024 is “Breaking Rabies Boundaries”. Rabies is a transboundary disease that is not confined within borders and exceeds geographical limitations. Similarly, the theme highlights that it is essential to break boundaries related to socioeconomic, education and geography by engaging in collaborations involving the government, health organisations, veterinary services and other groups. By overcoming the challenges, more awareness can be ensured towards rabies prevention and vaccinations or medical care will be made accessible to all.

Conception of World Rabies Day

The idea behind the “World Rabies Day” was established by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control. World Rabies Day was made official in 2007 to spread more information about the disease that has a 100% fatality rate.

Why is World Rabies Day observed on 28^th September?

World Rabies Day 2024 is observed on 28^th September to commemorate Louis Pasteur’s death anniversary, the inventor of the rabies vaccine.

Symptoms of Rabies in Humans

• Fever
  

• Headache

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Agitation

• Anxiety

• Delirium

• Hallucinations

• Insomnia

• Confusion

• Hyperactivity

• Difficulty in swallowing food and drink

• Salivating

• Fear resulting from difficulty in swallowing water (Hydrophobia)

• Fear caused by air blown on the face

• Partial paralysis

• Coma

Symptoms of Rabies in Dogs

The symptoms of rabies in dogs are divided into three stages:

 1.  Prodromal Stage (2-3 days)

• Anxiety

• Agitation
  

• Fear

• Aggressiveness

• Alienation

• Super sensitivity to light, sound and touch

• Fever

• Change in the pitch of the bark

 2.  Furious Stage (1-7 days)

• Attacking people, animals and things

• Disorientation

• Seizures

3.  Paralytic Stage (2-4 days)

• Salivating/Foaming

• Labored Breathing

• Paralysis

• Death

History of Rabies

Rabies is 4000 years old as per earliest evidence of written records. Aristotle stated in 300 BC that rabies is communicated through dog bites. Earlier, cauterization and amputation were suggested to get rid of the infection. The scientific perspective regarding rabies was initiated in 25 AD when the treatment of wounds was considered essential.

The word “rabies” is derived from the Latin word “rabere” meaning to rage which is similar to “rabhas” in Sanksrit which means “to do violence”.

Important Statistics on Rabies

·       India is the country to have reported the highest occurrences of rabies cases due to the presence of stray dogs on streets. It accounts for 36% of the world’s rabies deaths.

·       Around 59,000 people in the world die every year from rabies infection.

·       In India, around 20,000 rabies infected people succumb to death each year.

·       India was the country to witness the majority of deaths from rabies in 2019 followed by Nigeria and Pakistan.

·       On a worldwide level, the number of deaths from rabies reduced to half in 2019 from 1990.

Invention of Rabies Vaccine (RBV) by Louis Pasteur

 

 

Rabies vaccine was invented by Louis Pasteur who on July 6, 1885, administered a 9-year-old Joseph Meister with inactivated rabies virus bitten earlier by rabies feral dogs. The virus was harvested from the spinal cords of rabbits. The immunisation process was successful as the boy never exhibited the signs and the vaccine became popular worldwide.

Evolution of rabies vaccines

Since Louis Pasteur’s (French chemist and microbiologist) invention of RBV, the vaccines have undergone several developments. Different countries around the world use inactivated rabies that is based on cell culture but it requires multiple inoculations to be effective in providing immunity and it is also expensive. Next-generation vaccines are an innovative step to introduce vaccines that are safe and less reactive.

How does the vaccine of rabies work?

For the vaccine to work, the individual needs to be exposed to the rabies first which will trigger an immune response within the body. The antibodies take time to respond but eventually, the immune system destroys the pathogen and stops the disease.

Future Goal for Rabies Prevention

In 2015, under the United Against Rabies collaboration, four world organisations came together to reach zero human dog-mediated rabies deaths by 2030.

Immediate Steps to Take When a Human Gets Bitten By a Dog

1.     Wash the wounded area with soap and cold running water for 15 minutes.

2.     Use an anti-bacterial lotion/ointment such as povidone-iodine and dab with cotton.

3.     Take a cotton pad and press the area to flush out the germs through bleeding. If the wound is already bleeding, use a clean cloth to stop the blood flow.

4.     Envelop the cotton pad with a cotton mesh/bandage for support.

5.     The individual needs to avail of medical services following basic first aid services.

 

Immediate Steps to Take When a Human Gets Bitten By a Rabies Dog

In case of confirmation that one is bitten by a rabies animal, follow the first aid services mentioned above and administer post-exposure vaccinations.

Note: Always have a first aid box at home for emergencies. Mostly, rabies leads to death and therefore it is better to take vaccinations if suspected to be bitten by a rabies animal.

Prevention of Rabies for Dogs

·       Monitoring pets when outdoors can ensure they don’t get infected by other animals.

·       Vaccinating dogs and cats early and routinely with rabies vaccine can help in the prevention of rabies.

·       If a dog has been previously vaccinated, a booster vaccine can provide greater immunity in case signs of rabies are apparent. Despite vaccination, the dog needs to be supervised for 7-10 days.

Prevention of Rabies for Humans

·       Rabies can be prevented with the help of rabies vaccine. There should not be any delay in vaccinating the person who is exposed to the bite, scratch and saliva of a rabies dog.

·       Veterinarians and animal handlers need to administer the rabies vaccine as they come into contact with animals daily.

·       Often to prevent the spread of the virus through dogs to humans and other animals, it is euthanized immediately.

Awareness programmes/initiatives for Rabies Prevention

·       One Health, an initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) that highlights the fact that the health of individuals, animals and the environment is integrated. Therefore, to promote overall health and prevent rabies, it is important to look after the three aspects of One Health.

·       Mass dog vaccination is an effective way to protect humans against the rabies virus transferred through dogs.

·       Rabies Surveillance will provide effective data so that the elimination programme for rabies becomes successful.

·       In India, the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP), an initiative under the Central Sector Scheme is engaged in training healthcare professionals in animal bite management, strengthening rabies surveillance systems, ensuring appropriate diagnosis, creating awareness and implementation of Post-exposure prophylaxis and Pre-exposure prophylaxis.

·       “National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE) from India by 2030” is another proactive step by the Government of India in this direction.

How to treat dogs with rabies?

Since there is no treatment or cure for a rabies-infected dog, it is advised to euthanize it.

Vaccines for Rabies Prevention

Rabies immunoglobulins are administered following the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) several doses of RABV are administered. PEP is a regimen that is offered to people who have been exposed to the virus through a dog bite or scratch and PrEP is provided to veterinarians, animal handlers or travellers who have a high risk of contracting the disease. Imovax Rabies vaccine is recommended for PEP and PrEP which is suited for all age categories. Alternatively, RabAvert or the PCECV vaccine is also suggested to fight against rabies. Medical intervention from a health professional is always necessary when exposed to the rabies virus.

 

Wrap Up!

Rabies is a deadly disease that claims thousands of lives every year. To make people more aware of the dangerous impact of the zoonotic Lyssavirus, a global initiative such as World Rabies Day is observed on 28^th September every year. Rabies has a 100% fatality rate but it is preventable through timely administering of PEP or PrEP vaccination regimes. The government across the world has introduced several rabies prevention initiatives so that the fatal disease can be brought under control through progressive steps by tapping on the potential of awareness programmes.

Do you think that the population of street dogs need to be managed for the prevention of rabies? What initiative according to you will successfully create more awareness about rabies prevention?

Do let me know your thoughts in the comment section below!