Rabies: ALL FOR 1- ONE HEALTH FOR ALL

Rabies: ALL FOR 1- ONE HEALTH FOR ALL

Bhagyashree M. Kamble (PhD Scholar, Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding)

Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur (MP)

Many modern families keep dogs as pets for a variety of purposes, such as companion dogs and service dogs. Most dog owners take their dogs to the doctor for annual checkups and the necessary vaccines. However currently there has been an issue on whether or not dogs need to be vaccinated.  The benefits offset the risks, and some vaccinations are required by law. Dogs need to be vaccinated because it guards them against a number of infectious diseases and prevents us from acquiring zoonotic infections. Some people believe that vaccinations are unnecessary for their dogs or that they are expensive, yet getting their dogs vaccinated keeps them healthy, guards them against disease, and lengthens their lives. Let’s talk about the present rabies crisis and why vaccination   is crucial.

One of the most significant zoonotic illnesses and one of the earliest recognized diseases impacting humans is rabies. The term is derived from the Latin rabies, madness. This in turn may be related to the Sanskrit rabhas, to rage. The Greeks derived the word lyssa from violent; this root used in the genus name of the rabies virus, Lyssavirus. Rabies has been known since around 2000 B.C.  Rabies, an acute viral encephalomyelitis also known as Lyssa, Hydrophobia, and Rage, can infect all warm-blooded animals. There are two types of rabies virus – Street virus and fixed virus. Street virus- The virus recovered from naturally occurring cases of rabies is called street virus. It is naturally occurring virus found in saliva of infected animal. Fixed virus- The virus which has a short, fixed and reproducible incubation period is called fixed virus. There have been recent reports of rabies-related deaths in the state of Kerala. In Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, a 14-year-old kid who had been hiding a dog bite from his parents for more than a month eventually passed away from rabies.

The ssRNA enclosed brick-shaped rabies virus is a member of the family Rhabdoviridae and genus Lyssavirus. The virus is comparatively weak and susceptible to most disinfectants. The most frequent source of rabies transmission in the world is the dog, followed by cats. Bats are always thought to be rabid. The most typical way that rabies is transmitted is through bites between the infected animal and a recipient animal or human, Through milk, By air has been reported (very uncommon). The typical incubation period (the interval between first being exposed to the virus and the appearance of illness symptoms) is four weeks. All warm-blooded creatures, including humans and dogs, cats, foxes, wolves, vampire bats, cattle, horses, sheep, and goats, are the hosts. Symptomless carriers and reservoirs of infection are vampire bats.

Several elements contribute to pathogenesis, including the virus strain, number of viruses and species vulnerability, etc. Virus enters via animal bite – Virus replicates in muscle at site of bite – Virus infects nerve in peripheral nervous system moves by retrograde transport – Virus replicates in dorsal root ganglion and travels up spinal cord to brain – Brain infected – Virus travels from brain via nerves to other tissues such as eye, kidneys, and salivary glands.

Clinical symptoms in animals include altered behavior, difficulty swallowing, biting at all things, paralysis, and death. Clinical signs seen in humans – Fever; agitation; painful spasm followed by excessive saliva; foaming at mouth after drinking water and death within a week.

Rabies occurs in two forms in animals – Furious form and dumb form. In furious form – Animal becomes aggressive; goes into rages; biting and slashing at any object; excessive salivation, changes in temperature; muscle in coordination; paralysis and death. In dumb form – Bellowing; paralysis; dehydration; coma and death

Diagnosis can be done on the basis of Signs and symptoms; animal inoculation; virus isolation; virus characterization; Seller’s staining for Negri bodies; serum neutralization; FAT (hippocampus medulla, cerebellum, etc.) and PCR assay/RT PCR and ELISA

Treatment for rabies is symptomatic treatment. The treatment, sometimes referred to as supportive therapy or supportive care, focuses on the outward signs of the illness rather than its underlying causes. It makes an effort to control the patient’s symptoms in order to make them better. However, considering the possibility of sickness from an animal bite, it is advised to seek care as soon as possible after any such incident. The infection might be avoided in this way. The rabies vaccine is 100% effective when administered promptly after exposure.

Prevention and Control –

1. Elimination of Rabies in Wildlife animals

Vaccination of wild Carnivores – VRG is delivered orally using food bait.

Control of Bat borne rabies – Bat control programs; Vaccination of cattle.

1. Prevention and Control in urban areas

Prevention: Mass vaccination of owned dogs; Mass vaccination of stray dogs

Control: Management of biting animals – includes both stray dogs and owned dog

Management of bitten animal – Destroy dogs that get bitten by rabid animals; Animals that were not vaccinated either to be placed in strict isolation; Animals that have been vaccinated previously within one year to be revaccinated within 7 days post bite.

• International measures for transportation of animals

Countries free from rabies – Prohibit importation from endemic areas

Endemic countries – Valid certificate of imported animals

1. Prevention and control in humans   

Prevention in Humans (Pre-exposure)

1. Awareness of Rabies and preventing animal bites
2. Preventive Immunization

• Wound treatment

Immediate thorough cleansing of all wounds with soap and water for a minimum of 15 minute. Apply detergent, povidone iodine or other substances that remove and kill the rabies virus. Do not suture or cover the wound and if necessary for closing large wounds, should be done after 48-72 hrs.

For non-immunized individuals – Dose: 4 (0, 3, 7 and 14 days)

Dose: 5 (0, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days)

 The first efficient rabies vaccine was created by French scientist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur and his colleagues. In honors of his loss, the globe observes “World Rabies Day” on September 28 every year. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India jointly launched ‘National Action Plan For Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE) from India by 2030’. The stray dog population control and management of the stray dogs is the mandate of the local bodies. The objectives of a dog rabies control project should be to eliminate dog rabies from a given area and to keep this area free from the disease forever. The Central Government has launched a brand new programmed known as the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) with the goal of preventing and controlling rabies. The NRCP aims to improve animal bite surveillance, report rabies death, conduct training on proper management and conduct training on rabies prevention.

On this 17th World Rabies Day will take place on September 28 this year. The theme for this year, “All for 1, One Health for all,” emphasizes the fact that everyone should have access to one health. Let’s work together to educate people about rabies prevention and eradication with the help of following points:

1. Believe that it can happen to you and your family. Complacency often arises from ignorance.
2. Raise the issue with pet owners during your society meetings. Discuss it openly. Ensure that every pet is vaccinated. Mere assurance that the pet is vaccinated is not enough. In Shahbaz’s case, neighbors also claimed that the pet was vaccinated. Make sure a copy of the pet’s vaccination certificate is submitted with the society.

• Segregate kids and pets in play areas, both by time and by space.

1. Advocate for strict leash laws in common areas.
2. Educate your kids. Inform them about the risks and emphasize that they shouldn’t hide any contact with dogs from you.
3. If there are stray dogs in your colony, ensure that pet lovers in your society take responsibility for their vaccination and other needs.

Rabies: All for 1 , One health for One

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