Rabies is a zoonotic disease (a disease that is transmitted to humans from animals) that is caused by a virus. Rabies infects domestic and wild animals, and is spread to people through close contact with infected saliva (via bites or scratches). The disease is present on nearly every continent of the world but most human deaths occur in Asia and Africa (more than 95%). Once symptoms of the disease develop, rabies is fatal.

Rabies comes from the bite of a rabid or ‘mad’ animal, usually a rabid dog, cat, fox, wolf, skunk, or jackal. Bats and other animals may also spread rabies.

Signs of rabies:

In the animal:

  • Acts strangely—sometimes sad, restless, or irritable.
  • Foaming at the mouth, cannot eat or drink.
  • Sometimes the animal goes wild (mad) and may bite anyone or anything nearby.
  • The animal dies within 5 to 7 days.

Signs in people:

  • Pain and tingling in the area of the bite.
  • Irregular breathing, as if the person has just been crying.
  • Pain and difficulty swallowing. A lot of thick, sticky saliva.
  • The person is alert, but very nervous or excitable. Fits of anger can occur.
  • As death nears, seizures (convulsions) and paralysis.

If you have any reason to believe an animal that has bitten someone has rabies:

  • Tie or cage the animal for a week.
  • Clean the bite well with soap, water, and hydrogen peroxide. Do not close the wound; leave it open.
  • If the animal dies before the week is up (or if it was killed or cannot be caught), take the bitten person at once to a health center where he can be given a series of anti-rabies injections.

The first symptoms of rabies appear from 10 days up to 2 years after the bite (usually within 3 to 7 weeks). Treatment must begin before the first signs of the sickness appear. Once the sickness begins, no treatment known to medical science can save the person’s life.

Prevention:

  • Kill and bury (or cage for one week) any animal suspected of having rabies.
  • Cooperate with programs to vaccinate dogs.
  • Keep children far away from any animal that seems sick or acts strangely.

Take great care in handling any animal that seems sick or acts strangely. Even if it does not bite anyone, its saliva can cause rabies if it gets into a cut or scratch.