Rabies
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TH
Context: The Supreme Court has ordered the immediate capture and permanent confinement of stray dogs in Delhi amid rising rabies-related deaths, bringing renewed focus to this preventable yet fatal disease that kills thousands in India each year.
About Rabies:
• What it is? A fatal zoonotic viral disease caused by the Rabies virus (RABV). Classified by WHO as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD).
• A fatal zoonotic viral disease caused by the Rabies virus (RABV).
• Classified by WHO as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD).
• Vector & Transmission: Primary vector: Dogs (responsible for ~99% of human cases). Other carriers: Cats, bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, livestock. Spread through bites, scratches, or saliva contact with broken skin/mucous membranes. Infection & Spread: Incubation stage – Virus remains dormant for days to months (commonly 1–3 months). Nervous system invasion – Virus travels via peripheral nerves to the brain. Fatal outcome – Once symptoms appear, death is almost certain without intervention. Symptoms: Early: Fever, headache, malaise, pain/tingling at wound site. Advanced: *Furious rabies*: Hyperactivity, hallucinations, hydrophobia, aerophobia, excessive salivation. *Paralytic rabies*: Gradual muscle paralysis, coma, eventual death. Distinctive Features: 100% preventable with timely vaccination. Once symptoms appear, mortality is nearly 100%. Children (5–14 years) are most vulnerable in endemic regions. Treatment: Rabies prevention involves PEP (4-dose vaccine + RIG for unvaccinated) after exposure and PrEP for high-risk groups. WHO-approved vaccines include RABIVAX-S, VaxiRab N, and VERORAB, with immediate wound washing being essential before vaccination.
• Primary vector: Dogs (responsible for ~99% of human cases).
• Other carriers: Cats, bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, livestock. Spread through bites, scratches, or saliva contact with broken skin/mucous membranes.
• Spread through bites, scratches, or saliva contact with broken skin/mucous membranes.
• Infection & Spread: Incubation stage – Virus remains dormant for days to months (commonly 1–3 months). Nervous system invasion – Virus travels via peripheral nerves to the brain. Fatal outcome – Once symptoms appear, death is almost certain without intervention.
• Incubation stage – Virus remains dormant for days to months (commonly 1–3 months).
• Nervous system invasion – Virus travels via peripheral nerves to the brain.
• Fatal outcome – Once symptoms appear, death is almost certain without intervention.
• Symptoms: Early: Fever, headache, malaise, pain/tingling at wound site. Advanced: *Furious rabies*: Hyperactivity, hallucinations, hydrophobia, aerophobia, excessive salivation. *Paralytic rabies*: Gradual muscle paralysis, coma, eventual death. Distinctive Features: 100% preventable with timely vaccination. Once symptoms appear, mortality is nearly 100%. Children (5–14 years) are most vulnerable in endemic regions. Treatment: Rabies prevention involves PEP (4-dose vaccine + RIG for unvaccinated) after exposure and PrEP for high-risk groups. WHO-approved vaccines include RABIVAX-S, VaxiRab N, and VERORAB, with immediate wound washing being essential before vaccination.
• Early: Fever, headache, malaise, pain/tingling at wound site.
• Advanced: *Furious rabies*: Hyperactivity, hallucinations, hydrophobia, aerophobia, excessive salivation. *Paralytic rabies*: Gradual muscle paralysis, coma, eventual death.
• *Furious rabies*: Hyperactivity, hallucinations, hydrophobia, aerophobia, excessive salivation.
• *Paralytic rabies*: Gradual muscle paralysis, coma, eventual death.
• Distinctive Features: 100% preventable with timely vaccination. Once symptoms appear, mortality is nearly 100%. Children (5–14 years) are most vulnerable in endemic regions.
• 100% preventable with timely vaccination.
• Once symptoms appear, mortality is nearly 100%.
• Children (5–14 years) are most vulnerable in endemic regions.
• Treatment: Rabies prevention involves PEP (4-dose vaccine + RIG for unvaccinated) after exposure and PrEP for high-risk groups. WHO-approved vaccines include RABIVAX-S, VaxiRab N, and VERORAB, with immediate wound washing being essential before vaccination.
• WHO-approved vaccines include RABIVAX-S, VaxiRab N, and VERORAB, with immediate wound washing being essential before vaccination.