GROUP TITLE: RABIES

Members:
James bangay
Jc Cunanan
Felix Quinan
Ahron Abrenica
Jm tagium
Thirdy Kanapi

What is rabies?
Rabies is a preventable viral disease spread mostly by the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus
attacks mammals' central nervous systems, leading to brain illness and death. Once clinical
symptoms occur, rabies is almost always deadly. In up to 99% of cases, domestic dogs transmit
the rabies virus to people. However, rabies can infect both domestic and wild animals.

 Rabies is estimated to cause 59 000 human deaths annually in over 150 countries, with
95% of cases occurring in Africa and Asia.

 Rabies is endemic to the Philippines, causing more than 300 human deaths
nationwide/year. Locally, its mode of transmission is through the bites of dogs, which
commonly roam provincial and city streets.

 The closer the bite wound to the brain, the shorter the distance for the virus to travel and
bite location may greatly decrease rabies’ incubation period. In order to diagnose rabies
in dogs, brain tissue must be brought to a diagnostic laboratory, wherein the viral antigen
is confirmed using the fluorescent antibody test , which has a sensitivity of 98% (WHO,
2018).

 According to Dr Luningning Elio-Villa, coordinator of the Department of Health’s rabies

control program, pet dogs have a higher fatality rate compared to stray dogs in the
Philippines

There are two forms of rabies:

 Furious rabies results in hyperactivity, excitable behavior, hallucinations, lack of
coordination, hydrophobia (fear of water) and aerophobia (fear of drafts or of fresh air).
Death occurs after a few days due to cardio-respiratory arrest.
  Paralytic rabies accounts for about 20% of the total number of human cases. This form of
rabies runs a less dramatic and usually longer course than the furious form. Muscles
gradually become paralyzed, starting from the wound site. A coma slowly develops and
eventually death occurs. The paralytic form of rabies is often misdiagnosed, contributing
to the under-reporting of the disease.

Once signs of rabies appear, the disease is almost always fatal. However, rabies can be
prevented if early treatment is administered. If in contact with an animal with possible rabies,
you must contact the health department or a medical facility for advice on rabies prevention
treatment.
Treatment includes a first dose of vaccine and another protective injection. Then 4 more doses
of vaccine are administered over 28 days.

What are the causes?

 Rabies is caused by the Rabies virus (RABV), which affects both humans and animals. It
spreads through your body via your nerves, causing nerve damage. It evades your
immune system until it reaches the brain, where it causes brain damage and, eventually,
death.

 People are usually infected following a deep bite or scratch from an animal with rabies,
which is, in 99% of the cases, a dog. Transmission can also occur if saliva of infected
animals comes into direct contact with mucosa (eyes or mouth) or fresh skin wounds.

 Contraction of rabies through inhalation of virus-containing aerosols or through

transplantation of infected organs has been described, but is extremely rare. Human-to-
human transmission through bites or saliva is theoretically possible but has never been
confirmed. The same applies to the transmission to humans via consumption of raw meat
or milk of infected animals.

Symptoms
The incubation period for rabies is typically 2–3 months but may vary from 1 week to 1 year,
depending on factors such as the location of virus entry and the viral load.
Initial symptoms of rabies include generic signs like:
 Fever, pain and unusual or unexplained tingling,
  pricking, or burning sensations at the wound site.
 Racing heart (tachycardia).
 Fast breathing (hyperventilation).
 Excessive salivation.
 Seizures.
 Hallucinations.
 Fear of water/drinking (hydrophobia).
As the virus moves to the central nervous system, progressive and fatal inflammation of the brain
and spinal cord develops. Clinical rabies in people can be managed but very rarely cured, and not
without severe neurological deficits.

Ways to Prevent Rabies

 Vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies as required by law. All dogs and cats more than
four months of age must be vaccinated against rabies. Keep vaccinations current at all
times.
 Keep dogs and cats under control. Animal control laws prohibit allowing animals to
roam unsupervised. Roaming pets are more likely to have been exposed to rabies than
those supervised by their owners.
 Leave stray or unknown dogs and cats alone. Loose animals are more likely to have been
exposed to rabies and to attack others. Keep pets away from strays, too.
 Leave wild animals alone. Avoid wild animals even if they appear friendly, and do not
coax a wild animal to eat from your hand. Do not fear wild animals, just respect and stay
away from them. Very young children can learn this rule.
 Do not keep wild animals as pets. Even a raccoon or skunk born in captivity may be a
rabies carrier. Local laws prohibit acquiring of keeping such animals as pets. There are no
approved vaccines or known quarantine for wild animals.
 Make your property unattractive to wild animals. Cap chimneys and seal off any
openings in attics, under porches and in basements. Feed your pets indoors and keep
trash cans tightly closed.

References:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13848-rabies

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https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/rabies-prevention

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