In Trichy, there have been increased cases of dog bites recently, which concerns the spread of the rabies virus in the city. The incidence of dog bites has been increasing when compared to previous years in the city, and the anti-rabies vaccine is highly recommended in the district.
According to the District Public Health Department of Trichy, the number of dog bites rose from 21,040 cases in 2022 to 21,243 cases this year.
According to an article in the Lancet, 36% of global deaths due to dog bites are from India.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of our body. Rabies is usually transmitted through animal bites.
Rabies viruses are of two types, according to the WHO:
Furious rabies: The symptoms include hyperactivity, hydrophobia, and aerophobia. Increased chances of mortality due to cardiac arrest.
Paralytic rabies: In this type, the muscle gradually gets paralyzed, which will lead to coma and death.
According to WHO guidelines, after exposure to the rabies virus, the rabies vaccine should be given on the 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28th days. The pre-exposure anti-rabies vaccine should be given on the 1, 7, 21, or 28th day if people are at risk of getting infected with rabies.
Dr. A. Subramani, Deputy Director of Health Services, stated that it is good that more people are receiving the anti-rabies vaccine, but many people who get cuts, scratches, and bites from their pet dogs are not considering the importance of vaccination. He also said that if the rabies virus doesn't enter the nervous system, the chances of preventing death are 100 percent, and if it does, it is a deadly condition.
According to Trichy Collector M. Pradeepkumar, hydrophobia and hysteria are the symptoms seen in people infected with rabies. He also emphasized that people in the district visit health centres to get vaccinated earlier.
The Animal Husbandry Department created awareness among schoolchildren about the need to vaccinate their pets with the anti-rabies vaccine. Dr. Esther Sheela, joint director of the Department of Animal Husbandry, emphasized that dogs and other pet animals should be given the anti-rabies vaccine as an initiative to reduce the incidence of rabies.
(Input from various media sources)
References:
1) https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/india/health-topic-pdf/pep-prophylaxis-guideline-15-12-2014.pdf?sfvrsn=8619bec3_2
2) https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lansea/article/PIIS2772-3682(22)00125-1/fulltext
3) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies
(Rehash/Rohini Devi)