Bite Back at Rabies: Hunan Launches Ambitious Plan to Eradicate Deadly Disease

Hunan implements the “dog-to-human rabies elimination plan”, and vaccination is recommended for all canine and feline scratches

Sanxiang Metropolis Daily News on September 28 (Text/Video All Media Reporter Li Qi Correspondent Zhao Tao) September 28 is “World Rabies Day”, and this year’s theme is “Breaking the Boundaries of Rabies”. On the morning of the 27th, under the guidance of the Hunan Provincial Health Commission, a related theme publicity event sponsored by the Health Education Promotion Center of the Hunan Provincial Health Commission and other units was held at the Hunan Provincial Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Hospital.

Rabies is a serious zoonotic infectious disease. The virus is mainly spread through broken skin or mucous membranes, and is common in bites or scratches from dogs, cats and other animals. Once the disease occurs, the mortality rate is almost 100%. The incubation period of rabies varies from a few days to several years.

“Our country is implementing the goal of eliminating dog-to-human rabies by 2030, and so is Hunan. To achieve this goal, we still face many problems and challenges, which require the cooperation of all departments, the participation of all sectors of society, and the joint efforts of everyone.” Health Commission of Hunan Province Li Hefeng, director of the Education and Publicity Center, pointed out that “breaking the boundaries of rabies” has a dual meaning. It not only means that rabies can spread across species and geographical boundaries, but also shows that achieving the goal of eliminating dog-to-human rabies by 2030 requires the efforts of all parties.

Experts from Changsha First Hospital and Hunan Provincial Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Institute conducted micro-science lectures to explain the prevention of rabies and the correct handling of rabies to those present. The subsequent question-and-answer session on rabies prevention and control with prizes for knowledge pushed the atmosphere to a climax.

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What are the symptoms of rabies?

The incubation period of rabies varies, generally ranging from 1 to 3 months. Symptoms such as fever and headache occur after the onset of the disease. Most patients will experience pain or abnormal sensation, unexplained throbbing, stinging or burning sensations at the original exposed wound site.

As the virus spreads in the central nervous system, patients will develop symptoms such as extreme fear, fear of water, fear of wind, difficulty breathing, excessive sweating and salivation.

How to deal with animal bites or scratches?

After being bitten or scratched by an animal with a high risk of rabies infection, immediate post-exposure treatment such as local wound treatment, rabies vaccination, or the use of rabies passive immune preparations are the only effective ways to prevent rabies.

Wound treatment method: Wash the wound thoroughly with soapy water (or other weak alkaline cleaners, professional rinses) and running water (or saline) alternately for 15 minutes. After the wound is rinsed, use diluted iodine or other virus-inactivating agents. Apply skin and mucous membrane disinfectant to the wound.

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All canines and felinesIt is recommended to get vaccinated after a bite or scratch.

Tang Leibin, the attending physician at the animal bite clinic of the Hunan Provincial Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Hospital, said that almost all dogs and cats, whether domestic or wild, are recommended to receive rabies vaccinations if they are accidentally bitten or scratched. Rabies vaccination is also required if you are scratched by bats and other wild animals, including tigers, foxes, wolves, leopards, bears, skunks, etc.

In addition, some low-risk domestic animals, such as cattle, horses, pigs and sheep, may carry low-risk rabies virus. If you are bitten by such animals, it is recommended to get rabies vaccine. At the same time, people may also carry low-risk rabies viruses.

Author: Li Qi

Editor: Sun Yanfei

First instance: Li Qi

Second Instance: Huang Juan

Third Instance: Zhou Wenbo

Source: Sanxiang Metropolis Daily

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