Rabies: Share the message. Save a life #WorldRabiesDay: World Rabies day is celebrated on 28th Sep every year. World Rabies Day is the first and only global day of action and awareness for rabies prevention. It is an opportunity to unite as a community and for individuals, NGOs and governments to connect and share their work. Governments, organisations and individuals hold events on this da that highlight their work and educate their communities. Global Alliance for Rabies Control provides an event platform and resources to increase their impact and share their work with other rabies stakeholders across the world.
28 September is also marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death, the French chemist and microbiologist, who developed the first rabies vaccine.
The World Rabies Day 2018 theme is Rabies: Share the message. Save a life. This highlights the importance of education and awareness to prevent rabies.
What is RABIES ?
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus. It affects the brain and has no cure. Rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted to people from animals. It is a disease that can affect any mammal.
HOW DO WE GET rabies?
- The virus enters the body through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite.
- The virus reproduces at the site of the bite wound and moves up to the brain.
- Once the virus reaches the brain, it reproduces and spreads to different parts of the body such as the salivary glands. The person bitten usually shows signs of the disease after 1-3 months.
- The victim becomes paralyzed and will eventually die about a week after they have shown symptoms of rabies.
Possible SIGNS of rabies in humans
- Headache
- Fear of water
- Fear of wind
- Fear of exposure to light
- Other signs: Difficulty swallowing and breathing; seeing and hearing things (hallucinations); anxiety
Possible SIGNS of rabies in animals
- Lethargic or aggressive
- They sometimes chew on strange things, such as rocks, dirt or wood
- Excessive drooling
- Fear of exposure to light
What should you do if an animal BITES you?
- Immediately wash the wound with soap and running water for 15 minutes
- Disinfect the wound with alcohol or iodine solution.
- Immediately consult a doctor or seek the nearest hospital or clinic in your area
- Do not kill the animal! Consult a veterinarian or Animal Control Service in your area so they can handle it.
- The animal should be given food, water and space to move around, but isolated from other animals and people, and should be watched for signs of rabies for 14 days
- If the animal gets sick or dies within 14 days, it should be reported immediately to the nearest veterinarian in your area to have the body tested for rabies. If the animal is free of signs of rabies after 14 days, it can go back to its usual life.
How can I PROTECT my PET ANIMAL AGAINST RABIES?
- Have your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies at 3 months of age and then every year.
- Provide your pets with nutritious food, clean water and exercise.
- Be sure to provide them with a clean and comfortable shelter.
- Do not let them roam freely in the streets. Keep your dog on a leash when going out.
- Do not keep your pet tied up all the time.
The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID)
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