warn!! Rabies

CU Veterinarians join the campaign for World Rabies Day on September 28 to educate and raise awareness of rabies dangers. Organize vaccination activities for volunteer veterinary students who enter the community Emphasize that people at risk groups should be vaccinated against rabies regularly.

Rabies is a life-threatening contagious disease. It can be said that almost all cases of infectious disease are fatal, so prevention is the best way to treat the disease today. World Health Organization therefore announced every day that 28 September every year isWorld Rabies Day To promote people in the area to be aware of the severity and danger of rabies. Including the importance of cooperation in eliminating rabies completely.

“Covid-19 is life-threatening. Rabies is an equally dangerous disease. If left until symptoms occur, then it is quite certain death. But if treated at the beginning of infection, there is a way to survive and most importantly, this disease can be prevented.” Assistant Professor Dr. Tildis Roongruangkitkrai Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Chulalongkorn University Reiterating and revealing the Rabies Vaccination Program for veterinary students organized by the Rabies Anti-Rabies Club Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chulalongkorn University to join the campaign to prevent and control rabies

“Every year, our club operates projects into 2 main groups: 1. Rabies vaccination for veterinary students. which will require a practical study and work closely with dogs and cats; and 2. Rabies prevention campaign activities. The students who participated must be trained to increase their skills and experience in the veterinary profession. This is to instill in students the awareness of learning how to volunteer to vaccinate dogs and cats in the community. Including providing knowledge and information to help reduce the risk of rabies in the community as well.” Asst. Prof. Dr. Tildis Describe the activities and project goals. which although the vaccination will focus on students But I want to send the message to people at risk groups, such as those who work in close contact with animals. Dog and cat farm attendant including those who work in bathing and cutting fur (This may include postmen and couriers), etc. to realize and see the importance of regular rabies vaccination as well.

in addition Anti Rabies Club And the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chulalongkorn University is also an agency to educate people about rabies. both defense and how to behave if being a mammal especially dogs and cats biting or scratching, etc. There are public relations through various media and channels. Including the Facebook page of the anti-rabies club Facebook: CURabies club, with the ultimate goal of keeping Thailand free from rabies deaths.

o What is rabies?
Rabies or in English called Rabies It is a neurological infection. caused by the Rabies virus that can cause disease in “Mammals” of all kinds, whether it is “dogs, cats, cattle, buffaloes, pigs, rats, rabbits, bats, goats”, but the popularly called “rabies” Because this disease was first found in dogs. And statistics show that more than 95% of deaths from this disease in Thailand are caused by dogs. followed by cats

Rabies virus It can be transmitted to humans when bitten, scratched or licked by a dog or cat with a saliva-contaminated germ. Including mucous membranes such as the mouth, nose or eyes. and buffalo infected with rabies as well

o There are 2 types of expressions of animals infected with rabies.
1. Aggressive It is the most common symptom. The animal will be violent, anxious, chasing and biting any person or animal in its path. It is also evident from the drooling due to paralysis of the jaw muscles, tense body, drooping tail. Subsequently, paralysis of the legs, loss of consciousness, and death within days to two weeks are possible.

2. a lethargic This type is more difficult to notice. Infected animals exhibit symptoms similar to other diseases. keep quiet look harmless May bite other people or animals when disturbed. then paralysis and eventually die

o Symptoms in animals
There are three stages of rabies-infected dogs, which, if found in the early stages, are still treatable. But if the disease progresses to stage 2 and 3, then prepare to say goodbye.

Phase 1 The animal’s temperament has changed, whether it is aggressive or lethargic.
Phase 2 Onset of nervous breakdowns, irritability, restlessness, loss of balance, showing strange symptoms such as indiscriminate attempts to bite. Whether it’s a person, animal, or thing, there is a partial paralysis of the muscles of the neck and larynx. Noticed that the tongue is hanging, drooling, unable to swallow food and water.
The third or final stage There will be a rapid paralysis of the whole body. and eventually died from paralysis of the nervous system and respiratory system respiratory failure The total duration of onset of symptoms until death was only about 10 days.

0 is it true? An animal with this disease is known for its fear of water, “water phobia”.
This is a misunderstanding because in the past, rabies-affected animals might have noticed that they had a fear of water, that is, crying and acting harshly when drinking water. So it’s called hydrophobia. but actually Rabies animals are not afraid of water. but cannot swallow water or food This is due to paralysis of the muscles of the neck, larynx and esophagus, causing choking and pain when eating. therefore having symptoms like fear of water

o How do you act? When being bitten or scratched by a dog-cat
when bitten or scratched by a dog or cat Regardless of whether the dog that bites you is a “own” dog, “someone else’s” or “no owner” (stray dog), remember the principle: “Clean the wound, apply medicine, lock the dog, go to the doctor.” By quickly washing the wound with clean water and soap. to remove saliva that may be contaminated with it disinfectant, which may be iodine tincture or betadine okay

If it’s an unknown animal or even a pet that has been injected with rabies, don’t rely on it. Keep the animal in quarantine or quarantine for 2 weeks. Once the medication has been administered, seek immediate medical attention for rabies vaccination and tetanus protection.

In the case of animal bites, large and deep wounds or an area with a large number of blood vessels, such as the face or near the brain Your doctor may consider injecting immunoglobulin to kill the virus at the wound site for a safer and more effective way. Even though rabies is a deadly disease But if you see a doctor soon, you can survive.

o Rabies treatment
In the past, we may have been shocked to hear that the treatment for rabies required 21 doses of vaccination around the navel. Currently, treatment is for only 4-5 doses (on days 0, 3, 7, and 28). ) and do not need to inject around the navel as well However, intramuscular or intradermal injection programs including whether to inject immunoglobulin or not will be at the discretion of the physician

o When can the rabies vaccination be given?
The best protection is rabies vaccination. Pet owners should take their pets for an annual rabies vaccination as scheduled by a veterinarian, which can be injected from dogs and cats aged 3 months and older, and has to be vaccinated annually. Frequent contact or people who are at risk of being bitten, such as veterinarians, groomers and animal bathers, ranchers and people who have regular contact with animals. (This may include many occupations that are at risk of being bitten. like a postman or home couriers) should also be vaccinated against rabies. (But it’s different from the one given in the pet)

o Can I get the rabies vaccine during COVID-19?
Rabies vaccination in case of dog bite During the COVID-19 vaccination appointments, it can be done in parallel without the need for time intervals. Just to inject each point only. Because both are life-threatening diseases, so if rabies vaccination is necessary There is no need to worry that it will affect the COVID-19 vaccine in any way. Asst. Prof. Dr. Tildis Finally, he warned that “Be careful and protect yourself from COVID-19, don’t forget to protect yourself from rabies. because it is a dangerous disease as well.”

o Statistics of people who died from rabies
In 2018, there were 18 cases, with 1,476 infected animals testing positive for rabies, the highest in 10 years, but in 2020, the death toll has dropped to just three. 236 samples, which this year as of August 2021, have accounted for three deaths from rabies and 128 animal samples, which is expected to reduce the rate of infection. It may be the result of people being detained at home. rarely go out to meet animals that may be diseased

However, raising awareness campaigns for people to understand how to prevent and treat rabies is essential. to save the lives of animals and people from diseases that are still not easily removed from Thailand because stray dog (Which is the main disease carrier) in Thailand, there are still many. Controlling the population of stray dogs, including vaccinating them against rabies, is difficult for strays who are afraid of them. Moreover, Thailand’s borders are in contact with many countries, so the rabies epidemic control approach has not been successful alone. But it also requires regional cooperation.