Rabies (zoonoses)-types,risk factors,symptoms, transmission, diagnosis and prevention.

Introduction

Rebies is one of the oldest recognised disease affecting humans and  livestock animals and one of most important zoonotic disease. 

Discovered and named by Girolamo Gracastoro in 15 th century. 

Acute, highly infectious and fetal disease of CNS.

Caused by lyssavirus type -1.

It is single stranded negative sense RNA virus.

Zoonotic disease of warm blooded animals.

Transmitted  by direct contact with saliva of rabit animal.

Virtually 100% fetal but 100% preventable. 

Rebies epidermis occurs in asia,North and South America. 

Type of Rabies

Furious Rabies

Infected people who develop furious rabies will be hyperactive and excitable and may display erratic behavior

Paralytic Rabies

This form of rabies takes longer to set in, but the effects are just as severe. 

Risk factor

The biting mammal is a known rabies reservoir or vector species.

The exposure occurs in a geographical area where rabies is still present.

The animal looks sick or displays abnormal behaviour.

A wound or mucous membrane was contaminated by the animal's saliva.

The bite was unprovoked


Symptoms and sign


The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to those of the flu and may last for days.

Later signs and symptoms may include:

Fever

Headache

Nausea

Vomiting

Agitation

Anxiety

Confusion

Hyperactivity

Difficulty swallowing

Excessive salivation

Fear brought on by attempts to drink fluids because of difficulty swallowing water

Hallucinations

Insomnia

Partial paralysis


Host and reservoir 

Rabies is a viral zoonosis and carnivores such as foxes and racoons, as well as many bat species, are wildlife hosts of the rabies virus in nature. Globally, in terms of human disease, dogs represent the most important reservoir

Transmission of Rabies



Rabies virus is transmitted through direct contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth) with saliva or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected animal.

People usually get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal. It is also possible, but rare, for people to get rabies from non-bite exposures, which can include scratches, abrasions, or open wounds that are exposed to saliva or other potentially infectious material from a rabid animal..  


Diagnosis of rabies

Tests are performed on samples of saliva, serum, spinal fluid, and skin biopsies of hair follicles at the nape of the neck. Saliva can be tested by virus isolation or reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Serum and spinal fluid are tested for antibodies to rabies virus


Prevention of Rabies

Vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies as required by law. ...

Keep dogs and cats under control. ...

Leave stray or unknown dogs and cats alone. ...

Leave wild animals alone. ...

Do not keep wild animals as pets. ...

Make your property unattractive to wild animals


Treatment

A fast-acting shot (rabies immune globulin) to prevent the virus from infecting you. Part of this injection is given near the area where the animal bit you if possible, as soon as possible after the bite.

A series of rabies vaccinations to help your body learn to identify and fight the rabies virus.




Written by-

Md Mizanur Rahman

DVM (BSMRSTU)

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